SARATOGA vs BENNINGTON

On "Sponsor Day" at Shenentaha Park in Malta, NY, the Saratoga Stampede hosted Bennington for another Divisional Fall Rugby Match. Bennington traveled very light and required assistance to field a proper team for the pitch and Saratoga had to use an impromtu referee for the match. The rain held off all day and the conditions stayed fair.

Saratoga opened up the game with some excellent ball distribution through the backs, creating an early score. Down the stretch, Bennington hit hard and put significant pressure on the tight play, forcing Saratoga to use its backline the duration of the game. Saratoga's backs responded with near-flawless distribution and relentless execution. The backs and forwards for Saratoga rucked and supported each other better than any of the previous fall games.

The event remained one-sided throughout, but Bennington was able to keep pushing Saratoga down the field in the final minutes and scored a very hard-earned 7 points. Ultimately, Saratoga played a very crisp rugby game with many different player combinations down the stretch, showing improvement and chemistry. Bennington is to be commended for making the trip with limited numbers, working with referee situation, and for their tenacity to play the game we all love.

Respect is earned by how we respond when we are down, and Bennington's dedication and respect for the sport through these challenges remind us why we play this game among many individuals of high character.

FINAL:

Saratoga 107
Bennington 7

Man of the Match: Vernon Peek

Welcome Saratoga Rugby Sponsors

Saratoga Rugby's first home game of the season!

Women's game starts at 11 AM
Men's game starts at 1 PM
All men's players need to be ready to go by 11:45 AM

Field location: Shenantaha Park, on Eastline Road (Ballston Spa).
Directions: Take the Northway (87) to exit 12. Take 67 west. When you get to a light, there will be a Stewarts across the street on the left. Make that left onto Eastline Road. The pitch is less than a mile on the left.

SARATOGA vs NORTH SHORE

On another perfect fall day in the Northeast, the Saratoga Stampede traveled to the Boston, MA region to take on North Shore Rugby Team. Both Saratoga and North Shore were 2-0 in their divisions going into the game, with North Shore playing in Division III and Saratoga playing in Division IV. Although the match was not a divisional match and did not count toward the Fall Standings, the intensity and quality of the battle was a surprise to both teams.

North Shore opened up the game with an early Try from an overload and good hands play. Saratoga, never letting up, came back and continued to trade blow for blow with North Shore, playing at their highest level all season. North Shore's attacking back line moved the ball well and was able to keep Saratoga at bay until the 2nd half. Saratoga scored the go-ahead Try with 15 minutes left in the game until injuries and a limited numbers began to take their toll. North Shore was able to capitalize with cohesive back play to recapture the lead and ultimately win the game on their home field with a final score of 43-36.

Saratoga was able to effectively work through different pack and back line combinations with different players in different positions, showing how well the team can adapt. The scrum-downs were much improved and the line-outs were dominated by Saratoga the entire game, thanks to quality lifting and anticipation. Saratoga's scrum half played excellent under much duress and quality opposition, improving for another consecutive week.

This match was a very tough battle that was ultimately won by the team that had the most depth and cohesion. The hosts, North Shore, shared words of respect and awe regarding Saratoga's performance and toughness. Saratoga Stampede proved capable of competing and winning in Division III NERFU Rugby, which will be tested once again at the end of the Fall Season if the winning tradition continues on.

FINAL:

North Shore 43
Saratoga 36

Man of the Match: Aaron Noble

The car pool is at 8am located at the Malta Mall off exit 11 on 87. If you are coming from the north (heading south) make a right off the exit and the mall will be about 1/2 mile down on the left.

Directions are as follows:
1: Take 87S
2: Take exit 7-6 merge onto NY-7 E towards Troy/Cohoes
3: Take the exit onto I-787S
4: Take exit 5 to I-90E
5: Take exit onto I-90E towards Boston/Taconic Pkwy (156 miles)
6: Merge onto MA-1A N (2.6 miles)
7: Turn right on Beach St (486 feet)
8: Slight right at MA-60 (0.9 miles)
9: At Albert J Brown Circle, take the 1st exit onto Broadway/MA-107 Continue to follow MA-107 (3.0 miles)
10: Turn left at Burns St (322 feet)
11: Turn left at Summer St (0.1 miles)
12. Look for GEAA Field

SARATOGA vs MAD RIVER

Mad River hosted Saratoga Stampede this weekend on a perfect fall day in Vermont. Mad River began the game with 14 men on the field but refused to do anything except play rugby on Saturday. Outnumbered, they put on as much effort as any team with 15 men, controlling the scrums. Both teams played aggressive rugby but the Saratoga Stampede ultimately ran away with the game.

Saratoga never let up in the game. The Stampede played over 90% of the game in Mad River's half of the field and controlled the lineouts throughout the game. Mad River had many surges, but the Stampede defense was able to close the door to the try zone all day. Saratoga kicked well throughout the game and played a cohesive game of rugby when phase play was effective. Many players shared the workload and stepped up to gain a bonus point and another victory for the Fall 2009 Season.

Mad River is to be commended for playing the game we all love regardless of circumstances and playing hard with limited numbers. Saratoga continues to travel strong and the depth of players has proven to be a huge part of the Stampede arsenal.

FINAL:

Saratoga 48
Stowe 0

Man of the Match: Vernon Peek

Carpool will be leaving from the exit 15 Walmart at 8:00 AM. If you are not coming to the carpool, please let one of the captains know.
Make sure you are at the pitch and ready to go by 11:30.

Directions are as follows:
Drive through Stowe Center, take left past Shaw's Grocery Store, entrance to field will be on your right.
1: Merge onto I-87 N via the ramp on the LEFT. 19.6 mi
2: Take the RT-149 exit, EXIT 20, toward FORT ANN/WHITEHALL. 0.1 mi
3: Turn LEFT onto US-9/NY-149. 0.5 mi
4: Turn RIGHT onto NY-149 11.7 mi
5: Turn LEFT onto GEORGE ST/US-4. Continue to follow US-4. 10.6 mi
6: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-4/POULTNEY ST. Continue to follow US-4 E (Crossing into VERMONT). 25.3 mi
7: Turn LEFT onto US-4 E/US-7 N/S MAIN ST. 2.2 mi
8: Turn RIGHT onto WOODSTOCK AVE/US-4. Continue to follow US-4. 10.6 mi
9: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto VT-100. 10.7 mi
10: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto VT-107. 13.0 mi
11: Take it to I-89N and go for about an hour or so until you get to Exit 10 (Waterbury/Stowe)
12: Make a right onto RT 100, and go about 10 miles until you see West Hill Rd. on the left.
13: Turn onto West Hill Rd and go about 1/4 mile to Mayo Farm Rd, and the pitch should be on the corner.

SARATOGA vs RUTLAND

This weekend's match against Rutland proved to be a battle. Rutland had a very strong pack and quality backs. It was great to see such a large turnout for an away match. Saratoga was slow out of the gate but played physical in the first half. Saratoga was able to shorten Rutland's lead by 5 points before the first 40 minutes expired.

The 2nd half started slow, but Saratoga began playing well together and stuck to the game plan, playing in Rutland's half of the field. Excellent rucking, communication, and run support allowed Saratoga to retain possession for the majority of the half and control the momentum. Saratoga scored 2 quick tries and converted 2 kicks (thank you to Vern) to pull ahead of Rutland, showing true testicular fortitude.

The final 20 minutes of play gave a glimpse of how outstanding Saratoga Rugby will be throughout the rest of the season, overecoming adversity and perfecting the game plan. The momentun that we finished with in this come-from-behind-victory is something we can build on and continue to improve on each training session and game.

Everyone on the team has and will continue to play a vital role in the success we achieve throughout the season. Every training session counts in terms of attendance and effort. We get stronger together and we need to continue to refine our gameplan as we train together. It looks to be a great season and everyone should be proud of our first win of the season...many more to come.

FINAL:

Saratoga 19
Rutland 7

Man of the Match: James Verseput

Carpool will be leaving from the exit 15 Walmart at 9:30 AM. If you are not coming to the carpool, please let one of the captains know.
Make sure you are at the pitch and ready to go by 11:30.

Directions are as follows:
The pitch is located on Marble St., West Rutland, VT 05777. North on I 87 to Exit 20, Rt-149/Fort Ann/Whitehall. At end of ramp, turn left onto US9N.
After approximately one mile turn right onto NY149. In Fort Ann, turn left onto US4 East. Stay on Route 4 all the way to Exit 6/West Rutland.
At the bottom of the ramp turn left, then at the traffice light turn left onto US Route 4A toward West Rutland. At the flashing red light, turn right onto Marble Street.
The field is .9 miles on left, look carefully for the sign to the entrance to the field as the pitch is not visible from the road.
There will be a drink-up at Jilly's on Merchants Row in Rutland following the match

For the Fall of 2009, James Verseput and Vern Peek have been elected as captains.