The Brooklyn Rugby men and women each came away with victories on Saturday, the men defeating Gotham Knights Rugby Club (NYC), 21-14, and the women beating Charles River Rugby Club (MA), 44-5.
On the men’s side, Brooklyn faced Gotham for the second time this season, defeating them 39-15 in Week 2. Gotham was looking for redemption this time around, having never beaten Brooklyn in the team’s history. Brooklyn opened up the scoring early on in the first half with tries from Craig Mackenzie and Kevin Keebler, going up 14-0 after Gennaro Anzalone converted on both attempts. Brooklyn went into the half ahead by fourteen with momentum on their side.
In the second half, it was Gotham that scored first off an intercepted pass that was returned for a try. Following the successful conversion, Brooklyn’s lead was cut in half, 14-7. Brooklyn responded, however, as Ben “Bino” Deschamps offloaded to Craig Mackenzie who finished by outrunning the Gotham defense and scoring his second try of the day. Gennaro Anzalone added the conversion, finishing a perfect 3 for 3 on the day. Ten minutes later, Gotham worked the ball deep into the Brooklyn zone and was able to put across its second try, again cutting Brooklyn’s lead to just seven points.
With the game on the line, Brooklyn was able to hold off a strong final push by the Gotham offense, coming away with a 21-14 win.
Brooklyn: 21 – Gotham: 14
Tries: Craig Mackenzie (2), Kevin Keebler
Conversions: Gennaro Anzalone (3)
The Brooklyn women were looking for a bounce-back win following last week’s tough loss to Burlington, and they did not disappoint against visiting Charles River. Brooklyn opened up an early lead in the first half, putting up four tries from Jessica Bade, Jess Mendez, Katie Mason, and Heather Parton. Although Kyla Maxwell was unsuccessful on each of the conversions, Brooklyn went into halftime with a commanding 20-0 lead.
In the second half, Brooklyn continued to showcase its dynamicism both offensively and defensively, putting up four more tries and allowing only one to Charles River. Robyn Martinich, Melanie Joaquin, and Alex Mostrom each scored tries, while Jess Mendez scored her second of the day. Nicolette Lupo added conversions on two of the four second half tries for Brooklyn.
It was a solid day for Brooklyn all around, as the women came away with a dominating 44-5 victory.
Brooklyn: 44 – Charles River: 5
Tries: Jess Mendez (2), Jessica Bade, Katie Mason, Heather Parton, Robyn Martinich, Melanie Joaquin, Alex Mostrom
Conversions: Nicolette Lupo (2)
The Brooklyn women will travel to take on Portland Rugby Club (ME) this Saturday, October 31, while the men will play New York Rugby Club (NYC).