2003 RESULTS

VICTORY OVER GENTS OF NY CAPS OFF UNDEFEATED FALL CAMPAIGN

October 25, 2003, New York City – Our final match of the year against the Gentlemen of New York was a tight game in the first half, but we broke it open in the second. With only 23 players, it was a lighter-than-normal crowd of Grey who showed up on Randall's Island. Thanks, also, to Jeff Bouvier who was called on at the last minute to ref the game.

The score was 14 - 12 in our favor at the break, but we were clawing for every yard we gained. We made some adjustments for the second half. The wind was in our favor as well, and we turned up the pace. Things started going our way then. Scoring honors went to Kevin Trammel (John Kerr conversion), Kerr (Kerr conversion), Joe Bordieri (useless kick), Ed Carr (nose got in the way), Rick 'Trunksie' Truncali (Kerr conversion), Tony Johnson (my panties are too tight), and Bordo for his second of the day (missed kicked looking at lovely fall foliage). Final score: Connecticut Grey 41 - Gentlemen of New York 12.

Lots of fast paced play on the pitch. Standouts include: Jim McCormick, Gary Tamburri, George Saul, Bordo, Lou Petruzello, Riordan, Johnson, Kerr, and Bill Aman. Man-of-the-Match honors go to Kevin Trammel. Not only did he make a final decision on his boots, he played out of position at wing. Covered a lot of ball, rotated on defense, put his head down and went through people and presented ball when tackled.

GREY WIN FIRST MEETING WITH NEW LONDON RFC

October 4, 2003, New London, CT – The Grey traveled to Long Island Sound to take on a young and developing New London side. The resulting 36 - 5 victory takes us to 4 - 0 on the fall season. They were a game bunch of ruggers that gave everything all the way through the match. This is just their second season. They comprise a number of guys who played in college and a bunch of guys who are brand new to the game. We look forward to hosting them in the spring and can be sure of seeing an improved team at that time.

The game was well played by every Grey that stepped onto the pitch. We moved the ball well between forwards and backs, rucked well, put the right amount of guys into the breakdowns, got around the pitch (a wide one at that), and saw a lot of support. Man of the Match goes to Rick "Trunksie" Truncali. Trunks got around, set up scores, and scored, himself. Great commitment. The New London club gave their Man of the Match Award to our own Jay Chabot - a very nice recognition by the opposition for Jay's complete game.

Some highlights: Tom Roncaioli spoiling their lineouts and sure hands on kicks; Jim Riordan chasing down a potential score; Brendan Coffey's pass between the legs to Bill Bishop, who put it out to Don Brancard for the score; Chabot's conversion kicks that, if not for the trees, would still be going; Grayson Gregory fielding all their kicks and leaving them in his dust; Mike Harris with a beautiful kick and chase to restart Phase 2; Bob Casey bringing the ball back hard to the forwards and bulling his way through the opponents; Chris Rose scampering down the sideline; Jon Leone actually faking a pass; Mike Guzzio banging on penalty plays. Scoring for the Grey: Lou Petruzello (Chabot converts), Ian "Rooster" Roberts (no conversion), Trunksie (Chabot converts), Chabot - penalty kick, Chabot (Chabot converts), Brancard (Chabot converts). (Did we mention Chabot enough times?)

EVERYONE GOES HOME A WINNER FROM ALL JAPAN MATCH

September 27, 2003 – The Grey welcomed the All Japan RFC to Praegmann Park for the first match between these two sides in more years than anyone could remember. And after a hard fought match, everyone went home a winner – literally. Thirty six players kitted up for the Grey – so many, in fact, that we asked the Japanese to play four 20-minute periods in order to get everyone at least 40 minutes of rugby. For the first time in anyone's memory, the Grey started a second period with a completely different squad from the one that kicked off the match. Alas, something got lost in the translation. After the third period, our guests (who were up by a point) thought the game was over and were ready to start the post-match celebrations. Following much discussion at midfield, the Japanese agreed to return for another 20, buoyed by a number of Grey. After the final set, the Grey walked off 42 - 31 winners, but we certainly won't argue our opponents' contention that they were up after 60 minutes. That way, everyone walked away a winner, except Fred Seeger, who couldn't walk at all having suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.

For three of the four periods the Grey looked pretty good against a younger, faster team. In the 3rd period, we got a little tired, got sloppy with the ball, and did a little too much standing around. All Japan didn't stand around and kept coming at us in waves. We got back on track in the 4th and played the way we did in the first 40: going into rucks with the right amount of guys and winning ball, making ourselves available for a pass, running north-south, rotating within the backs to cover in defense, and mauling well. Scoring for the Grey were Bill Bishop (John Kerr conversion), Tony Johnson (Jay Chabot conversion), Don Brancard (penalty), Chabot (penalty), Grayson Gregory (no conversion), Bishop (no conversion), Brendan Coffey (conversion made), and Chabot (no conversion). Man of the Match: Ian "Rooster Man" Roberts. The Rooster played very well, got around the pitch, picked up loose ball, passed with precision, and tackled well.

MORRIS MATCH GOES DOWN TO WIRE – GREY WIN ON LATE PENALTY

September 13, 2003 - A very game Morris Rugby Masters side showed up in numbers and contested a tight match that could have gone either way. Fortunately it went in our favor with a 20 to 17 score, taking the Grey to 2 - 0 on the fall season (8 - 5 on the year). Scores were by Jay Chabot (penalty), Ed Carr (Chabot converts), Tony Johnson (Chabot converts), and Chabot (penalty). Lots of hard work and very nice play by everyone on the pitch. Standouts include Chabot, Lou Petruzello, Johnson, Carr, Joe Scandariato, Mike Guzzio, Brendan Coffey, Grayson Gregory, Chris Rose, Mike Kosilla, John Kerr, and Joe Bordieri. However everyone contributed to this nice victory. Man-of-the-Match honors go to Bob Casey – nose for the ball, no hesitation, great crash back to the forwards when required, great support all over the pitch. 

We had 29 players for the game. It makes it hard to get everyone a lot of playing time, however we're always fresh as a team! Thanks to the folks who came out to support us – wives, kids, old friends. Also, thanks to Jon Leone and Bill Bishop, two teammates who are on the injured list. It's not easy watching a game when you're hurt, wishing you could be out there, so thanks for showing up.

GREY BLANK BERKSHIRE IN FALL SEASON OPENER

September 6, 2003, Pittsfield, MA – The Grey had a great opening day victory up in Pittsfield, where history has shown that we usually end up coming home on the wrong end of the score. We definitely changed things around this season with a 31 - 0 shutout of Division III Berkshire RFC. Not that the win didn't come without a price. Bill Bishop, Jim Riordan and Jon Leone all had to leave the pitch due to injury. Jim's shoulder and Jon's head were doing better by the end of the afternoon. Bill's ankle cut took 16 stitches to close and he'll probably be out for several weeks. [Regarding Bill's injury, Matt Webster stood up for the entire Berkshire club in decrying the incident, calling it "both tragic and unnecessary" and complimenting Bill for his "quiet grace and sportsmanlike conduct."]

Berkshire put out a younger and somewhat less experienced side than we are used to seeing. However, that did nothing to quell the Grey's determination to finally win one against Berkshire on the road.  The Grey forwards were all over the ball – rucking, mauling, picking up loose ball. The backs ran north-south and were ready for ball every time it was delivered to them. Everyone, both backs and forwards, was all around the pitch. The backs showed a lot of creativity with chip kicks, looping, and dummying. Tries were touched down by Bishop (3), Chris Rose, Jay Chabot, and Steve "Bomber" Tenenbaum. Don Brancard converted two and Chabot one. Man-of-the-Match honors go to Bomber, playing like he never had a knee problem, running like a gazelle. His kick and grab for a score was a thing of beauty. Also, he had at least two try-saving open field tackles. Also, welcome to Jim McCormick, Bill Stimpfle and Jay Chabot.

2003 CAN-AM TOURNAMENT

Bill Bishop,

"I ran into Joe Scan, Joe Bordieri, Lou P., Bob Casey, and Scott Cruikshank all participating for one team or another. Did not see Brendan Coffey but understand the Falatyn Old Boys had some tough matches. In true whore fashion, I was able to play two games each day at Saranac. On Saturday, I played with Amoskeag in the Club Division. We lost close matches to semifinalist Niagara and consolation champ White Plains. On Sunday I was able to hook up with one of my many ex-teams, the Syracuse Chargers. We defeated Montclair and Blackhorse to claim the 'B' Division consolation. Being the full service whore I am, I played fullback, wing, center, and scrumhalf during the weekend."

And that's not all. Brendan Coffey reports on the excess – I mean success – of the Falatyn Mad Dogs. Click here for his full report.

JULY 26, 2003, RHODY OLD COCKS AT BLOCK ISLAND (Photos Courtesy Steve and Kim Tenenbaum)

Well, we tried. 25 to 17 – not a bad score, but still on the wrong end. The bright spot was our back play. From John Kerr out, no matter who was slotted in there the back line played great. Other highlights: Dean Jorgensen, erstwhile member of the Grey for seven years finally broke his cherry! He scored for us. Now just because it was one of the mandatory front line drop kicks over a very low-standing opposing player, that has nothing to do with it. A score is a score! And by the way, of the eight tries scored today, only one was converted. Congratulations Dean. Also, welcome back, Bomber. Very nice play, and a score to boot. Great to have you back. Welcome back, Trunksie. Your headgear looks like it needs to be worked in a bit more. Good to have you back on the pitch. Welcome to Jay Chabot. He earned Man of The Match. Not only did he play for us (very well), he played for the opposition (very well – bastard) AND he reffed the first period (very well). Nice job! Welcome George Saul. Great work at loose head. Also finally nice to have a teammate with an accent who plays well.

Most of all, thanks to Tom Flynn, Jon Leone, Gary Tamburri, Tony Johnson, and Tom Ronco. These guys coordinated their efforts to be sure that the beer was cold and we had sandwiches with no sand. Thanks for your efforts. Much appreciated.

The Men Who Play the Game...



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