WPRFC Practice
Rugby practice is now Gillie in White Plains
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 – 9 PM
Please bring molded cleats to save the field.
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White Plains 2-0 in league play after Beating Old Blue 51 - 22

A rainy morning gave way to a beautiful afternoon at Baker Field, on the very top of Manhattan.  At 2:30 PM White Plains and Old Blue squared off on a turf pitch in the Columbia Soccer Stadium.  Old Blue pressured White Plains, at first, but the visitors were soon able to bring the ball downfield.   Five minutes into the game, Matt Beckley, number 8 on your program, took a ball out of a ruck, and smashed over the OB defenders for a try (unconverted).  Old Blue came back strong, but to no avail.  At the twenty-sixth minute, some fine backs play ended with Gareth Gibbs scoring from wing (converted by Aidan).  OB once again came back strong, and was rewarded with an unconverted try (12-5).  Five minutes later, they closed the gap to 12-8 on a penalty.  However, with but a few minutes remaining in the half, Troy Hall scored a brilliant try in the corner (unconverted), giving WP a 17-8 halftime advantage.
     As the second half began, an inspired Old Blue side scored a try with a number of their backs handling the ball.  The conversion tightened the score to 17-15.  From there on, the flood gates opened, with absolutely brilliant play by the White Plains backs.  Matt Beckley scored again 7 minutes into the half (Aidan converted (24-15)).  Troy scored on a breakaway (29-17) three minutes later.  Thirteen minutes into the half, Aidan, who was a big factor all day, came up from Fullback to score a beautiful try, which he then converted (36-15).  Some more backline play, saw Alex Willen score from support (41-15).  Old Blue, never a team to quit, came on halfway thru the period to post a converted try (41-22).  At this time, White Plains was substituting freely.  However, my star of the game, Troy Hall, came up with a beautiful tackle breaking try, 2 minutes after the opposition scored to bring the score to 46-22.  With nine minutes left to the match, Marvin scored a nice try to put the icing on the cake.  Final score, White Plains 51, Old Blue 22.
     The White Plains forwards played their hearts out all game long, attempting to get the ball to the backs.  The backs responded with a highly entertaining game.  Although they were missing their Super League players, Old Blue played a sound game, but were simply out-matched.  White Plains is now 2 – 0 in the League, and are looking forward to a home match against New York / Manhattan next weekend.   

Patrick F. Malanaphy