Boston 13s RLFC

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 10)

The 29th of August 2015 was the big day and the Boston 13s woke up in Florida ready for battle.

Summarized from USARL.org :

South Conference champions the Atlanta Rhinos stood between the 13s and the national championship trophy.

The game was held in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida, in conditions that were not ideal for rugby league, yet both teams still managed to put on an exciting display for fans watching both at the game and online.

Coach Robin Peers brought winger Urban Iyo back into the lineup after missing the semi final win over Philadelphia and utility forward Conor Leahy was added to the interchange bench.

The 13s led 4-0 early in the game before play was suspended because of lightning. However, this did not halt the momentum of the 13s, running in 44 points thanks to tries from Kane Bentley (3), Kiwa Oakes, Liam Georgetown, Urban Iyo, Craig MacKenzie and Lawrence Crilley. To top that off, Georgetown kicked 6 goals from 8 attempts and was named MVP.

It was a particularly notable performance from the 13s as they were missing star player and five-eighth, Dustin Cooper.

The Atlanta Rhinos showed some poor discipline that hurt them at times, but their effort couldn't be questioned and they scored two tries of their own including one by Kwame Little who ran 90 yards to score in a great foot race. The Rhinos performed admirably and the achievement of playing in the Championship Final is particularly impressive for them as they were only in their second USARL season.

USARL Chairman, Peter Illfield: “Congratulations are extended to Robin Peers and the Boston 13s becoming 2015 USARL Champions.”

Lineup:
1. Liam Georgetown
2. Urban Iyo
3. Tyler lerardi
4. Kiwa Oakes
5. Ryan Forgione
6. Lucas Baistrocci
7. Lawrence Crilley
8. Marcos Flegmann
9. Kane Bentley
10. Jonpaul Davis
11. Greg Richer
12. Mike Elias
13. Craig MacKenzie
14. Patrick Canty
15. Trevor McKenzie
16. Conor Leahy
17. Curtis Goddard

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 9)

For the second time in the season we travelled to Philadelphia, this time with our eyes on the University of North Florida and the USA Rugby League Grand Final.

The current champions The Philadelphia Fight Rugby League Club weren’t about to lie down though, and what a contest was had!

From USARL.org :

The 13s shocked the home side by racing into a 12-0 lead, ex NRL player Dustin Cooper opened the scoring shortly followed by a great finish by free-scoring winger Ryan Forgione (Haverhill MA). Both tries expertly converted by fullback Liam Georgetown.

The Philadelphia side continued to press and probe on offense and were eventually rewarded just before half time with a try by winger John Lyons.

The half time score 12-6 in the 13s’ favor.

A penalty kick by Georgetown opened the scoring in the second half, extending the 13s lead to 14-6.

What then followed was a defensive stalemate from both teams before veteran winger Kiwa Oakes touched down in the right corner. Georgetown expertly landing the conversion from the sideline to extend the lead to 20-6.

The Fight, sensing that time was running out, started to be more expansive with the ball. They had some successes but strong 13s defense thwarted most of their attacking efforts.

With five minutes to go they did claw 6 points back when experienced winger Mike Timpano scored and then converted his own try.

However, it turned out to be too little too late for the boys from PA, with a final blow of the whistle putting an end to their season.

Thoughts now turn to Jacksonville in two weeks (August 29) where the 13s will face off against champions of the South, the Atlanta Rhinos (32-28 winners over the Central Florida Warriors).

Boston 20 (Cooper, Forgione, Oakes) Georgetown 4/4
Philadelphia 12 (Lyons, Timpano) Timpano 2/2

Lineup:
1. Liam Georgetown
2. Kiwa Oakes
3. Tyler lerardi
4. Lucas Baistrocci
5. Ryan Forgione
6. Dustin Cooper
7. Lawrence Crilley
8. Marcos Flegmann
9. Kane Bentley
10. Jonpaul Davis
11. Greg Richer
12. Mike Elias
13. Craig MacKenzie
14. Patrick Canty
15. Trevor McKenzie
16. Derek Morin
17. Curtis Goddard

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 8 )

The 13s finished the regular season with the best record in the North Division earning us a 1st round bye

We’d play the winner of the 3rd placed Brooklyn Kings and the 2nd placed Rhode Island Rebellion.

The Rebellion took the spoils 54-34, setting up the Thirteens v Rebellion III in Canton MA on August 8 2015.

Captain Marcos Flegmann started the game on fire with 2 line breaks in the first 3 minutes setting up tries for Bentley and Cooper. 12-0

Forgione was next to light up, with 2 great wingers tries, leaving the 13s 20-0 up at the 20 minute mark.

The 13s piled on 20 more points by half time, but it wasn’t all one way traffic with the Rebellion putting a score on the board of their own. Half time 40-4.

The 13s offense was really becoming clinical and peaking at the right time. Sadly Rhode Island were no match for the boys in gold & green and Boston ran out 80-4 winners.

We’d now travel to Philadelphia for a rematch of our only defeat of the season.

Lineup:
1. Liam Georgetown
2. Kiwa Oakes
3. Tyler lerardi
4. Lawrence Crilley
5. Ryan Forgione
6. Dustin Cooper
7. Lucas Baistrocci
8. Marcos Flegmann
9. Kane Bentley
10. Jonpaul Davis
11. Greg Richer
12. Mike Elias
13. Craig MacKenzie
14. Carl Harrison
15. Conor Leahy
16. Derek Morin
17. Curtis Goddard

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 7)

The 13s rounded out the regular season with a home tie in Canton against the Rhode Island Rebellion. The 13s looking to set their stall out ahead of the upcoming playoffs

Lineup:
1. Liam Georgetown
2. Urban lyo
3. Tyler lerardi
4. Lawrence Crilley
5. Ryan Forgione
6. Dustin Cooper
7. Lucas Baistrocci
8. Marcos Flegmann
9. Kane Bentley
10. Jonpaul Davis
11. Greg Richer
12. Mike Elias
13. Kevin Sassin
14. Kiwa Oakes
15. Conor Leahy
16. Derek Morin
17. Curtis Goddard

The boys put in a strong performance and the final score was 64-16.

Points Scorers
Tries: Forgione 3, Cooper 2, lyo 2, Bentley, Davis, Elias, Goddard
Goals: Georgetown 10

REMINDER: Join us at Nautilus Pier 4 tomorrow night from 8pm to celebrate the 2015 USA Rugby League champions!!

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 6)

Round 7 of the USARL was upon us and a home tie with the Connecticut Wildcats.

From USARL.org :
Boston Head Coach Robin Peers made a raft of changes to his 17 man squad, handing a debut to naval serviceman Erin O’Dell and Boston University’s Joe Musi, as well as bringing Derek Morin and Kiwa Oakes back into the squad.

It was perhaps because of all these changes that the 13s started sluggishly, struggling to hold the ball in offense and giving away numerous penalties in defense. The Wildcats definitely having the better of the opening 10 minutes.

The 13s however were first to break the deadlock on 12 minutes when fullback Liam Georgetown used his great footwork to score on a last tackle powerplay. Lucas Baistrocci converting to give the 13s an early 6-0 lead.

The opening try didn’t appear to fix things right away for the 13s and the Wildcats were next on the scoreboard with a converted try from close range on the 20 minute water break.

The break gave the 13s the chance to regroup and refocus and it wasn’t long before the offense got up to it’s usual potency.

Burly back-rower Derek Morin crossed twice in five minutes to start things off, the first coming off a Conor Leahy offload, the second off a Baistrocci break.

Recent USA Hawks selection Baistrocci then turned provider again on 31 minutes when he fed utility back Kiwa Oakes to score down the left channel, taking the 13s out to a 20-6 lead.

The first half scoring was rounded out by another USA Hawks selection Marcos Flegmann who used his considerable size and power to burrow over from close range. Baistrocci converted to take the score to 26-6 at the half time break.”

The second half belonged to the 13s who extended their lead and the final scoreline finished 56-6

Round 7 scorers
Tries: Georgetown 3, Bentley 2, Morin 2 Oakes 2, Crilley, Flegmann

Goals: Baistrocci 6

Squad: Baistrocci, Bentley, Carter, Crilley, Davis, Elias, Flegmann, Georgetown, Harrison, Ierardi, Leahy, Morin, Musi, Oakes, O’Dell, Sassin, Steblovskiy

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 5)

The 13s looked to bounce back to winning ways in Round 4 when the New York Knights came to Canton for the reverse of the Round 1 fixture.

Davis, Oakes and Elias returned adding experience to the lineup and veteran Chris Carter made his first appearance of the year.

For the second time in the season the 13s proved just too strong for the Knights and ran out 50 - 10 winners.

Try Scorers: Forgione 2, Georgetown 2, Bentley, Cooper, Elias, lyo, Richer

Squad: Bentley, Bonnette, Canty, Carter, Cooper, Crilley, Davis, Elias, Forgione, Georgetown, Goddard, Harrison, Ierardi, Iyo, Leahy, C Mackenzie, T McKenzie, Oakes, Richards, Richer, Steblovskiy

In Round 5 the 13s were awarded a walkover victory over the Connecticut Wildcats. A former AMNRL powerhouse (4 times national champions), the Wildcats had generally struggled in the USARL since their R1 victory over the Delaware Black Foxes.

Round 6 came around after the July 4 break and the 13s took the short drive down I-95 to face local rivals the Rhode Island Rebellion.

Coach Peers handed debuts to Jay Kolovson and exciting signing Kevin Sassin, Sassin being a Lebanon RL international who had recently returned to his native Massachusetts after graduating university in Lebanon. Captain Flegmann returned to the lineup as did exempt player Lucas Baistrocci.

The game was hosted by the Ivy League’s Brown University and Boston came steaming out of the gates and helped themselves to a 38-0 half time lead.

First half try scorers:
Davis, Baistrocci, Bentley, Georgetown, T McKenzie, lyo, lerardi

The Rebellion fought back and put in a better second half performance but the 13s ran out 72-12 winners in the end.

Squad: Baistrocci, Bentley, Canty, Carter, Cooper, Crilley, Davis, Elias, Flegmann, Georgetown, Goddard, Harrison, Ierardi, Iyo, Kolovson, Leahy, T McKenzie, Richer, Sassin, Steblovskiy

The squad had scored 50 tries in 5 games so far:
10 Liam Georgetown
8 Urban lyo
5 Ryan Forgione
4 Dustin Cooper, Lawrence Crilley
2 Lucas Baistrocci, Kane Bentley, Mike Elias, Curtis Goddard, Greg Richer, Steve Saluti
1 Patrick Canty, Marcos Flegmann, Tyler lerardi, Conor Leahy, Craig McKenzie, Trevor McKenzie, Sean Richards

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 4)

USA Rugby League Round 3 saw the boys hit the road again for a tasty clash with current champions the The Philadelphia Fight Rugby League Club.

France international ho**er Kane Bentley made his much anticipated debut after completing his commitments in the French Elite league with Toulouse Olympique XIII.

Veteran and future USA international Craig MacKenzie made his season debut as did 2012 standout Trevor McKenzie.

The 13s however were without the experienced Davis (suspension), Oakes, Elias and Flegmann.

Both teams put an early score on the board and with 15 minutes on the clock the scores were locked at 6-6.

The 13s put up the next score going out to a 12-6 lead after 25 minutes.

A flurry of scores before half time then saw the teams deadlocked 18-18 at the half.

Philadelphia put in strong second half performance and injuries mounted up for the 13s including a season ending knee injury for Shepard-Lewis.

The final score finished 46 - 30 in favor of the Fight giving the Philadelphia club pole position in securing home advantage through the playoffs.

Squad: Baistrocci, Bentley, Bonnette,
Boswell-Taylor, Canty, Cooper, Crilley, Forgione, Georgetown, Goddard, Harrison, Ierardi, Iyo, Leahy, C Mackenzie, T McKenzie, Richer, Shepard-Lewis, Steblovskiy

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 3)

A new home base in Canton MA hosted the Round 2 home clash with the Brooklyn Kings. The Kings coming to Canton off a close round 1 loss to the Rhode Island Rebellion.

The experienced Kiwa Oakes stepped into the number 6 jersey for his first appearance of the season and future USA Hawks representative Tyler Ierardi also made his seasons debut off the interchange bench after an impressive debut season in 2014.

The Boston 13s were once again too strong for their foes from NYC and ran out 60 - 18 winners. The 13s however finished the game with 12 men with Jonpaul Davis shown a red card for striking and we sadly lost 2014 MVP Steve Saluti to a season ending injury.

Squad: Canty, Crilley, Davis, Flegmann, Forgione, Georgetown, Goddard, Harrison, Ierardi, Iyo, Leahy, Morin, Oakes, Richards, Richer, Saluti, Shepard-Lewis

Final score 60 - 18

The 2015 🏆 season review (Part 2)

The much anticipated season kicked off with a trip to USARL newcomers the New York Knights.

2015 was the first reunified season under the USARL banner after the AMNRL / USARL split (ahead of the 2011 season). 14 teams would compete overall. 4 teams would play in the South Conference while 10 teams would battle it out in the North Conference (2 divisions of 5).

Whilst being new to the USARL, the New York Knights came into the season with an established pedigree having been 4 times AMNRL champions.

Dustin Cooper made his return in the green and gold jersey and Coach Robin Peers handed debuts to Liam Georgetown, Lawrence Crilley, Urban Iyo, Lucas Baistrocci, Erik Shepard-Lewis, Derek Morin, Alex Steblovski & Trevor Bonnette.

Marcos Flegmann captained the side for the first time.

The game took place on the Randalls Island sports complex in NYC and the 13s proved too strong for the New York outfit, running out 68-4 winners in the end.

Squad: Baistrocci, Bath, Bonnette, Canty, Cooper, Crilley, Davis, Flegmann, Forgione, Georgetown, Goddard, Harrison, Iyo, Leahy, Morin, Richer, Saluti, Shepard-Lewis, Steblovskiy

Final score 68-4

Ahead of our 10 year 🏆 reunion next week. For the next 7 days we’ll look back to 2015 and our first USA Rugby League national championship.

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After bowing out in the USARL North Conference finals in 2014, the Boston 13s management team started early in putting the building blocks in place for a successful 2015 campaign.

Former NRL player Dustin Cooper returned from France after missing the 2014 USARL season, giving the 13s roster a huge boost.

Cooper was then instrumental in the recruitment of his former teammate and France international ho**er Kane Bentley who joined from Toulouse Olympique XIII.

Another of Cooper’s former teammates joined the ranks in Queensland Cup standout Liam Georgetown (Redcliffe Dolphins). A big coup for the 13s!

Georgetown brought along longtime friend Lawrence Crilley for a USA adventure and Crilley would go on to star in the number 7 jersey all summer.

Other new arrivals included Jon Paul Davis (Atlanta Rhinos), Erik Shepard-Lewis (Rhode Island Rebellion), Urban Iyo (Navy), Mike Elias (Lebanese Rugby League Federation), talented local players Derek Morin, Lucas Baistrocci, Curtis Goddard & more.

Longtime standout Marcos Flegmann was asked to captain the side by coach Robin Peers.

So the stage was set for round 1 and a trip to New York City to face multiple time national champions the New York Knights Rugby League. The Knights had recently joined the USARL from the former AMNRL competition.

Join us on Thursday 28th August (8pm) in the Patio Lounge at Nautilus Pier 4 to celebrate the 2015 National Champion Boston 13s!

An event to celebrate the 2015 history makers, but is open to all former Boston 13s players and the wider rugby community.

Throwing it back to August 29 2015!

USA Rugby League National Champions! 🏆

Boston 44
Atlanta 12

This time next year, a 10 year reunion!?