The rugby played on Saturday, October 26th was of a Brooklyn Baron brand. The Barons came away with an epic 20 - 10 win over Hudson Valley, ensuring a coveted revenge match against Danbury RFC in the Met Union finals and a spot in the New York State Championship tournament on November 22nd.



After conceding a very quick try in the opening minutes of the game, the Brooklyn Barons regained control, kept their composure and played the best rugby they've played all season. It looks as if the mold of Barons-style rugby has finally set.



Hudson Valley came out strong and initially it looked as if their hammer style rugby would yield results, but the Barons defense held. Their line never broke. Within fifteen minutes Hudson Valley's momentum expired and from that point on their only successful offense was to kick.



The Barons pushed them down and back and three times the Barons had Hudson Valley backed against their own try line. Despite the fact that the majority of the half was played in Hudson Valley territory there was no score and it for a time it looked as if the Barons would be cursed with another series of unfinished drives.



The Brooklyn Barons came into the second half down 0 - 7, but Hudson Valley had no offense and their defense was beginning to show signs of fatigue and weakness. The Barons ground down Hudson Valley and used their speed and the full width of the pitch to mount an outstanding assault.



Barons support play was fantastic, their rucks clean and consistent, allowing the Barons to keep up the pressure and eventually Hudson Valley buckled.



Justin Knight scored twice, Josh Sperry scored once with Matt Loomis converting that try and Jeff Gordon scored a penalty kick.



The only glimmer of hope for Hudson Valley in the second half came from a Barons missed pass and penalty. Hudson Valley kicked the penalty successfully to bring their score to ten.



The Brooklyn Barons have always demonstrated a propensity for fast, hard running, hard hitting rugby - but coupled with the composed and calm mind they exhibited this Saturday, the revenge match against Danbury will surely be one to watch.

Scoring Detail:

Tries: J. Knight (2), J. Sperry

Conversions: G. Gordon (0/2), M. Loomis (1/1)

PenaltyGoals: G. Gordon (1/2)

Forward of the Match – John Murphy

Back of the Match – Geoff Gordon

Dan Avital, Bill Bendelow, Brian Benito, Lawrence Blaber, Zach Bubolo, Matt Butler, Edwin Cintron, Laurindo Da Costa, Matthew Dixon, Josh Ferrell, Will Ferrell, Geoff Gordon, John Illari, Justin Knight, Pierre Leleuch, Matt Loomis, Josh Magnas, Kempis Mclean, John P. Murphy, Tommy O'Connor, James Russo, Josh Sperry, Aaron Taback, Toby Tornay, Keith Weiss