(Kyle Winter photo)
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Boston Irish Wolfhounds v Boston RFC is almost always a noteworthy game in the Boston area, as it often indicates who is the top team in the area. The Wolfhounds have had the better of the clashes in recent years, though both teams always lift their game for this encounter.
League regulations were to take something from this season's encounter however, as both teams had to abide by some new NERFU rules. Boston will not be allowed to enter the playoffs in Division I, regardless of where they finish in the League. As the Wolfhounds are playing in the Stewart Shield, the competition featuring several East Coast Super League teams, they are prevented from playing their Super League players in the Division, including the game against their Super League rivals Boston. So it was the Wolfhounds B-side that took on their cross-town rivals in Week Four.
The Wolfhounds started off strongly enough. An early drop goal attempt was deemed no good as the referee couldn't get a good look at the posts. Some strong runs by the Wolfhounds’ backs didn't lead to points being scored as the Boston defense held strong.
Somewhat against the run of play, Boston winger Nino Balduzzi scored in the corner to give Boston a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The bigger Boston forwards took control and quickly worked in a couple of tries to put some distance between the sides before the half. In the second half, Boston continued to exert pressure and ended up with a 55-8 victory.
Elsewhere, Mystic River downed last year’s New England champs New Haven 12-3. The Old Blacks led narrowly 3-0 at the half, but the Mystics rallied in the second half to put in two unanswered tries for the victory.
Standings (unofficial):
Boston (4-0)
Mystic River (4-0)
Albany Knickerbockers (3-1)
Amoskeag (2-2)
New Haven (1-3)
Worcester (1-3)
Boston Irish Wolfhounds (1-3)
Connecticut Yankees (0-4)