Newport, RI
May 19-20, 2012

The Albany Knicks traveled to Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI this past weekend to compete against their NERFU D2 brethren in the NERFU Cup.  The weather was ideal on both days and the pitches were in top notch shape.  The club side went 1-2 over the weekend with a opening win over North Shore and losses to Burlington & Boston Irish Wolfhounds.Albany was placed in pool 3 along with North Shore & Burlington.  Albany's 1st game was a 1pm kick-off against North Shore and after weathering 10 minutes of pressure from North Shore and yielding one try the Knicks finally got into their groove.  A balanced attack and well organized defense led to tries by Scottie Bergen, Phil Ayoreh, Sean Mertz (2), and Steve Roy.  One conversion by David O'Neill.  Final score was 27-10 to Albany.  Alex Rufer was named man of the match for his solid play at inside center; normally a hooker for the club, he quickly reacquainted himself to center play (he was a center in college) and was a constant threat with ball in hand.The Knicks then drew a well rested Burlington for their 5:00pm match.  Unfortunately the club side couldn't muster up the same level of intensity it had showed in its opening match and Burlington won out 34-0.  Albany did have several scoring chances though, unfortunately poor handling and errant passes kept the Knicks from crossing the try line.  Jason Reigart continued his strong day taking the ball up field and was rewarded with man of the match.  Albany finished 1-1 in pool 3 and drew the Wolfhounds for their Sunday morning plate semifinal match at 9:00pm.Sunday morning found Albany short 5 starters (2 from injury & 3 from an outbreak of food poisoning; master chef Steve Roy takes full responsibility for not washing his hands).  Despite the missing players the Knicks soldiered on but lost to the Hounds 20-0.  The Knicks again were left rueing missed passes and drop balls that could have put points on the board.  Nonetheless, Jason Reigart was consistently strong in all three matches and again was awarded man of the match.

As the club looks back on the past Spring season with pride it also looks forward to the upcoming summer 7's with excitement and anticipation. 

Newport squad - Steve Roy, Bobby Grimm, Alex Rufer, Nate Murphy, Jesse Boehme, Patrick Deloughery, Alex Brooks, Mike Kuzia, Jason Reigart, Les Jones, Joe Enoch, David O'Neill, Scottie Bergen, Cody Morton, Sean Mertz, Bill Zedacker, Phil Ayoreh

Albany vs. North Jersey
May 12, 2012

Albany 39 - North Jersey 10

The Knicks traveled to the Garden State on Saturday, May 12 to play North Jersey in the final Spring friendly before the NERFU CUP tournament.  Albany outscored North Jersey 7 tries to 2 to win the 1st match 39-10.  Tries came from Jason Reigart, Phil Ayoreh, Rev Protain, Scottie Bergen (2), Sean Mertz, & Cody Morton.  Captain Tom Breslin added 2 conversions. 
 
Albany also won the shortened B match 17-12.  Tries came by David O'Neill, Joe Judge, & Scottie Bergen; with O'Neill converting his own try.
 
The Knicks, along with the Sirens, are traveling to Newport, RI this coming weekend to compete in the season ending NERFU CUP tournament. 

A side: Roy, Rufer, Murphy, Kuzia, Boehme, Judge, Kos, Reigart, Ayoreh, O'Neill, Bergen, Morton, Mertz, Breslin, Martin.  Subs - Warren, White, Weingarten, Zedacker, Brooks, Grimm, Halligan, L. Jones, Arango, Protain
Albany - tries: Reigart, Ayoreh, Protain, Bergen (2), Mertz, Morton. Conversions: Breslin (2).Man of the Match - Mike KuziaReferee - Tom Tani
 
B side Man of the Match - Pete Halligan