October 27, 2012
Portland, ME
Albany 17 - Portland 39

Albany took the long drive to Portland looking to rebound from their loss the previous week to
Worcester. Portland was looking to finish undefeated and clinch a number 1 seeding for the Nerfu D2
championships. In the end Portland was too strong and ran out 39-17 winners. The game was played
at an exceptionally high pace and both teams took advantage of the wide pitch to spread the ball
around. The first points came at the 22’ mark when Portland scored an unconverted try after sustained
pressure. Albany had a chance to hold Portland to 5-0 at the half but conceded a 2 nd try at 39 minutes
off a lineout maul. The kick was missed and after 40 minutes it was 10-0 to Portland. Albany struck
first in the 2nd half when at 3 minutes gone inside center Sean Mertz made one of trademark runs
through the Portland defense to dot down. Scottie Bergen made the conversion and Albany was back
in it. However, three minutes later the Knicks turned the ball over and were punished as Portland
collected their third unconverted try. 15-7 to Portland. Albany edge closer a few minutes later when
Bergen successfully kicked a penalty to make 15-10. From here on out though the last 20 minutes of
the game belonged to Portland. Albany were hard done by the referee who missed a clear knock-on
when Portland tried to pick off a pass. The loose ball was scooped up and Portland scored under the
posts. The home team made the easy conversion and never looked back. Portland scored three more
times in the span of 10 minutes as Albany faded. The Knicks did regain their composure and settle
down keeping Portland out of the try zone for the final 12 minutes while also scoring their final try.
The try came at the hands of man of the match Brandon Bailey as he powered his way over the line
from a pick-n-go. Bergen finished off the scoring by adding the extras.

A-side (Subs)
1. Jeff Hensel
2. Nick St. John (Grimm @ 64’)
3. Steve Roy (Murphy @ 64’)
4. Jesse Boehme (Adams @ 41')
5. Max Schuler
6. Cody Morton
7. Ed Kos
8. Brandon Bailey (Captain) Man of the match
9. Cono Cirone
10. David O’Neill (Warren @ 75’)
11. Steve Arango (Riegart @ 60’)
12. Sean Mertz
13. Murphy Lill
14. Scottie Bergen
15. Phil Ayoreh

Albany’s seconds fell to Portland as well. Losing 19-17 in the final minute. The game was well played
by both teams. Scottie Bergen landed the first points of the match halfway through the period with
a penalty. Fullback Phil Ayoreh scored a few minutes later with a nifty run that Bergen converted
and Albany went into the half up 8-0. Portland hit back though ten minutes into the 2 nd period with
a converted try of their own. Twelve minutes later the home team scored again and with 8 minutes
remaining in the match the score was 12-10 to Portland. Albany struck back quickly though as Bergen
scored and converted his own try. 17-12 to Albany. With 1 minute to go the game was Albany’s to
lose and lack of focus and poor discipline at the breakdown saw Portland awarded a penalty from 60
minutes out. They played a quick tap, made a few Knicks miss and scored under the posts to tie the
game. The conversion was made with no time on the clock and Albany was left with the bitter taste of
letting one getting away. Brian Killips received man of the match honors.

Many of the Knicks stayed in Portland overnight and were well taken care of by the Portland team.
Albany now has two weeks to regroup and prepare for their semifinal against Burlington.

B-side (Subs)
1. Dave Malizia
2. Sean Bayliss
3. Nate Murphy
4. Caine LaJeunesse
5. Eric O’Bryan
6. Todd Drake
7. Alex Brooks
8. Brian Killips Man of the Match
9. Steve Arango
10. Scottie Bergen
11. Kevin Warren
12. Donnie Marion (Captain)
13. Murphy Lill
14. Carl Frey
15. Phil Ayoreh

October 20, 2012
Worcester, MA
Albany 7 - Worcester 42

Albany traveled to Worcester with their sights set on remaining undefeated and going to 6-0 for the season.  Worcester had other plans.  From the kick-off it was obvious Worcester wanted to be the more aggressive side.  At 3 minutes in they were awarded a penalty for a breakdown infringement and decided to opt for the lineout.  The touch finder found them 5 meters from the Albany line and the subsequent maul led to Worcester’s first try.  Conversion no good.  Worcester had the lion’s share of possession and territory and at the 18 minute marked score again.  This time under the posts as the backline ran a “5-in” from a solid scrum.  The try was converted and the score was 12-0.   Two minutes later Worcester won a turnover ball inside Albany’s 22 and two passes later were in again.  The 3rd try was converted as well.  The home side added another converted try at the 24 minute mark off another well worked lineout ball and backline move.  Neither side scored for the remainder of the half.  26-0 Worcester at halftime.  Albany started the 2nd period strong and through prolonged pressure and quick ball was able to finally put points on the board in the 43rd minute.  Flyhalf Scottie Bergen spotted a gap and powered over to score near the posts.  Tom Breslin converted and it was 26-7.  The comeback was short-lived though.  6 minutes later Worcester stole an Albany scrum from about 40m out and was able to pass it out wide where the fullback beat the Albany wing around the outside and then passed in to his support.  Worcester added two more tries in the 2nd half, converting on one of them to finish out the scoring.  At the final whistle it was Worcester 42, Albany 7.  Eight man Brandon Bailey was named Man of the Match; Bailey made many big runs and was a bright spot for Albany on defense throughout the match.

Unfortunately poor wing positioning and lineout ball coupled with poor defensive communication contributed heavily to the loss.  The Knicks were humbled and will be rededicating themselves at training the upcoming week as they have another tough game on the road against Portland on October 27.  Portland is 6-0 and will have two goals in mind.  To go 7-0, undefeated in the regular season; and the lock up the # 1 seed.  Albany will have to play their best rugby of the season.  An Albany win could see both teams at 6-1 with tie-breakers decided the seedings.

A-side (Subs)
1. Jeff Hensel
2. Robert Grimm (St. John @ 41')
3. Steve Roy (Murphy @ 51')
4. Jesse Boehme (Schuler @ 41')
5. Frank Adams
6. Jason Riegart (Kos @ 33')
7. Cody Morton
8. Brandon Bailey
9. Cono Cirone
10. Scottie Bergen
11. Tom Breslin (Captain)
12. Sean Mertz
13. Murphy Lill
14. Phil Ayoreh (Schuler @ 51')
15. Todd Martin (Arango @ 65')

The Knicks B-side bounced back with a convincing 29-5 over Worcester.  Scrumhalf Steve Arango scored 3 tries and won Man of the Match honors.  Arango let his instincts take over played with a natural confidence.  It didn't hurt to have the maturity of flyhalf Charles Colley present as a calming force.  Really - how often does that happen?  Fullback Phil Ayoreh and Colley also added individual tries.  Colley converted on two tries. 

October 13, 2012
Boston, MA
Albany 54 - Charles River 0

Knicks move to 5-0.  On a beautiful Fall day in Boston Albany defeated Charles River Rugby Club 54-0 to take their record to 5-0.  The game was held at Moakley Park on the I-93 corridor.  Albany ran in 8 tries on the day, 4 in each half, adding two penalty kicks, and 4 conversions.  Captain Tom Breslin led all scorers with three tries, two penalty kicks, and four conversions.  Cody Morton, Sean Mertz, Brandon Bailey, Scottie Bergen, and Phil Ayoreh each had solo tries.  It took a while for Albany to find its feet and play to the referee.  The extremely narrow field led to a lot of congestion and limited offloads but with patience and constant pressure the Knicks found ways through with strong runs and well-timed passing.  Captain Breslin was named Man of the Match. 


A-side (Subs)
1. Nate Murphy (Hensel @ 41')
2. Robert Grimm
3. Steve Roy (Cosgrove @ 70')
4. Jesse Boehme (Schuler @ 41')
5. Frank Adams
6. Jason Riegart (Kos @ 41')
7. Cody Morton
8. Brandon Bailey
9. Cono Cirone (Ayoreh @ 41')
10. David O'Neill
11. Tom Breslin (Captain)
12. Sean Mertz (Protain @ 41')
13. Murphy Lill
14. Scottie Bergen
15. Todd Martin

Albany's B-side won 29-0, scoring 5 tries and converting on 2 of them.  Speedster Rev Protain notched a brace.  Alex Brooks, Sean Mertz, and Marty White also crossed the line and fullback Charles Colley added the conversions.  Hooker Nick St. John was head & shoulders above the rest and had a storming game to lead the pack.  St. John was named Man of the Match.

B-side (Subs)
1. Jeff Hensel (Aiken)
2. Nick St. John
3. Jeff Cosgrove
4. Caine LaJeunesse
5. Eric O'Bryan
6. Joe Judge
7. Alex Brooks
8. Brian Killups (Drake)
9. Steve Arango
10. Kevin Warren
11. Marty White (Zedaker)
12. Alex Rufer (Mertz)
13. Rev Protain
14. Pat Newman
15. Charles Colley

The camaraderie and sense of club was evident throughout the whole day.  The club went en masse to the social afterwards and then detoured through Springfield, MA to enjoy some Cajun culture before returning home to Albany. 

September 29, 2012
Albany, NY
Albany 43- Newport 7

The Albany Knicks downed Providence 43-7 in front of a large crowd to remain undefeated and take their record to 4-0.  The weather was overcast with no wind and Dick Green Field was in great shape.  Albany got on the board quickly in the 1st minute as eight man Brandon Bailey took a nice offload from Max Schuler and raced down the right sideline from about 15 meters out to score his first try of the season.  Conversion was missed.  Bailey scored again at the 5 minute mark, this time from the back of a 5 meter scrum, breaking a couple of tackles to power in for his second try.  Conversion by Scottie Bergen.  Providence had plenty of possession but uncharacteristic poor handling let them down and constant pressure by Albany led directly to the next two tries.  In the 21st minute winger Scottie Bergen chased down a loose ball in the Providence try zone to extend Albany's lead.  Conversion by Bergen.  Albany pivot David O'Neill finished off the 1st half scoring grabbing a loose ball off the ground and stepping past 3 defenders to score just left of the posts.  Bergen added the conversion and Albany went into the break up 26-0.  Albany got right back to it when Bergen scored a beautiful team try 4 minutes into the 2nd stanza which started from a good lineout ball just outside the Providence 22m.  The difficult sideline conversion was missed.  Providence got its first points a few minutes later off a well worked lineout and backline move.  The try was converted and with 30 minutes remaining the score was 31-7 Albany.  Knick fullback Todd Martin then glided past several defenders to score at the 53rd minute.  Conversion by Bergen.  Albany then ran on its reserves to give them valuable game time.  Reserve wing Rev Protain rounded out the scoring with 6 minutes to go when the Albany scrum provided a good platform for the backline to launch a successful move.  Final score 43-7.  Brandon Bailey was a force with ball in hand and received the Man of the Match award for his efforts.

Albany will use the upcoming bye week to nurse some injuries and rest before they hit the road for three straight weekends.  The Knicks' next match is October 13 at Charles River Rugby Club out of Boston, MA.

A-side (Subs)
1. Nate Murphy
2. Sean Bayliss (Grimm @ 55')
3. Steve Roy
4. Max Schuler
5. Jesse Boehme (Hensel @ 65')
6. Jason Riegart
7. Cody Morton
8. Brandon Bailey
9. Cono Cirone (Protain @ 65')
10. David O'Neill (captain)
11. Phil Ayoreh
12. Sean Mertz
13. Murph Lill (Warren @ 70')
14. Scottie Bergen
15. Todd Martin

Providence prevailed in the B game 19-12; scoring two 2nd half tries to come from behind.  Things looked good for Albany when wing Rev Protain scored the 1st of his two tries just 4 minutes in.  Conversion made by Colley.  Protain scored again at the 17 minute mark.  However, poor tackling and some inexperience allowed Providence to rally and claim the victory.  Flanker Alex Brooks has been coming back in to the form he showed last year and was a positive presence during the entire match.  It was that positive attitude and "team-first" mentality that made him a no-brainer for Man of the Match.

B-side (Subs)
1. Jeff Hensel
2. Nick St. John
3. Dave Malizia
4. Caine LaJeunesse (Bonventre @ 32')
5. Matt Zapala
6. Ryan Sweet (Rufer @ 34')
7. Alex Brooks
8. Steve Lansing (Judge @ 34')
9. Steve Arango
10. Kevin Warren
11. Marty White
12. Greg Berck
13. Rev Protain
14. Pat Newman (Zedaker @ 40')
15. Charles Colley

Following the B game both sides were treated to an excellent women's match as the Albany Sirens hosted NOVA.  It was a close match but NOVA prevailed.