New York, NY: The first Atlantic Cup Challenge match was played last week on Randall’s Island NYC. The Atlantic Cup Challenge is a new annual event having the Bermuda National Youth all stars and a NYC All Star team. Logistical problems meant a NYC All Star team was replaced by the Pelham Rugby Club. Pelham Rugby is 4 years old and their tackle program is only 3 yrs old. Pelham’s u15 team is 2 years old and plays in the Metro NY u15/ u13 league. Their U15 team is currently undefeated in League Play.
Pelham started the game dominating field position and playing good defense but lacking possession. After pinning Bermuda inside their 22 for the first 10 minutes of the game Pelham was awarded a scrum on the Bermuda 5. On the ensuing scrum Pelham’s scrumhalf, Luke Persanis, picked up the ball at the base of the scrum beat two defenders to score, conversion no good. After the ensuing kickoff Pelham regained possession from a hard tackle by Josh Quinn, some phases of quick ball broke down the Bermuda defense, allowing North Westall to run in a 10 yard try, Conversion missed. The score would stay the same until half. Pelham 10- Bermuda 0
After halftime, an apparent try for Pelham was called back as the referee had blown the whistle for a high tackle. On the penalty Luke Persanis caught the Bermuda defense by surprise and darted in for his second try, conversion no good. At this point Bermuda woke up, Bermuda bundled the Pelham fullback in-to-touch on the ensuing kickoff. On the lineout a tapped down ball resulted in Bermuda regathering the ball and diving over for their first try, conversion good, 15-7. The Pelham kickoff was returned by a kick up the middle, Pelham failed to gather the ball allowing the Bermuda center to swoop in gather the ball and go 50yds for the try, conversion no good, 15-12. At this point a game was on! Bermuda was stifling Pelham’s offense and Bermuda’s offense finally looked poised to break through. Bermuda made several half breaks only to be caught by a cover tackle. At this point Bermuda was also dominating rucks, turning over Pelham ball and creating go forward for their own backs. When Pelham did get the ball they made simple mistakes handing the ball back to Bermuda. During a scrum called after another Pelham knock on, Pelham finally came back into the game defensively as good pressure from the inside backs were forcing knock-ons and making life tough for Bermuda. Time was running out for Bermuda to mount a comeback as Pelham were awarded a scrum, 25 yards out. The scrum took place about 2/3 to the right half of the field, leaving the left side empty. This allowed the Pelham scrumhalf, Persanis, to pick and go blind again, beating the weakside defender Persanis touched it down for his third try of the match, conversion good, 22-12. Moments later the final whistle blew and Pelham had defeated Bermuda 22-12.
Match Report:
Pelham: 22
Tries (4)
Luke Persanis (3)
North Westall (1)
Conversions
Cian Burns
Bermuda: 12
Tries (2)
Conversions (1)
Pelham team:(12 a side)
1- Josh Quinn
2- Morgan Collins
3- Matt Biskup
4- Matt Rabinowitz
5- Joe Nelson
8- North Westall
9- Luke Persanis
10- Whit Johnson
11- Cian Burns
12- Dan Maydwell
13- Kees Huisman
Reserves:
Kevin Ndou
Christian Battaglia
Xavier Worsely
David Monaco
Dan Biskup
Quinn Scanlon
Jean Vigroux
Nick Roll
Player of the game: Luke Persanis
Coaches: Matt Persanis, Jamie McClellen, Spencer Scanlon
The game was sponsored by Saracens and is expected to be a yearly fixture. Bermuda has already laid down the challenge to Pelham to visit Bermuda next summer for a rematch. Pelham’s head coach, Matt Persanis had this to say when asked about heading to Bermuda for a rematch, “Bermuda? Yeah, I think I can go there!” He is currently looking for sponsors!
