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Beantown heads to Denver, CO for the National Championship Match after a victory against Pittsburgh.

First, a brief history lesson is necessary in order to really understand this game. In the spring of 2014, an under-staffed Beantown D2 side met the Pittsburgh Angels in Pittsburgh in the semifinals of the D2 Nationals and were trounced 99-0. This year, Pittsburgh moved up to D1 and arrived in Charlotte to face Beantown’s D1 side in another hot, dusty match in the semifinals of the D1 Nationals.

In the first minute of the game, it appeared Pittsburgh would start with the advantage, when they marched straight down the field using very wide punch balls to score…or maybe not. Instead of a try, the ref blew the whistle and called play back for a forward pass.

After that wakeup call, Beantown put the first points on the board with a try from Ali and a conversion from Jones. Pittsburgh responded with their won try by the 10 minute mark – but before the half, Beantown pulled well ahead with three additional tries, to be up 24-7 at halftime.

The first minute of the second half felt like deja vu – except this time Beantown was the team into the tryzone within seconds, and this time the try was NOT called back. Pittsburgh still hung in there, using their wide punches effectively and keeping Beantown working hard. But the strength of Beantown’s bench came into play, as sub after strong, fresh sub came on, making a clear and obvious impact on the pitch. Pittsburgh got two more tries in the second half, but Beantown answered with three for a decisive final score of 48-17.

Read the play-by-play on Storify

Halftime score: 24-7
Final score vs. Pittsburgh: 48-17

Beantown Tries: Ali, Jones (2), JP, Kat P (2), Kate O, and Mary; Conversions: Jones (4)

The next step after this victory is traveling to Denver, CO for the National Championship! Big thanks to all of our fans, near and far. Players are feeling the support of friends, family, and alums, near and far. Particular thanks to the generosity of those who have made a donation to our fundraising page. If you’ve not given yet, please consider making a gift today.

In sunny and warm Charlotte, Beantown kicked off at 3:15 against Chicago North Shore for the 2015 quarterfinal match.

The first half began with a grueling 10 minutes of defense. Chicago battered against Town’s line, pushing all the way into Beantown’s half – but wasn’t able to convert. The next 20 minutes, though, were all Beantown’s, starting with a 3-point penalty kick by Jones and followed by a try from Kat P. and another successful kick from Jones. But in the final 10 minutes Beantown lost momentum and Chicago took advantage, responding with their own 3-point penalty kick from the 40m line and an (unconverted) try, sending the teams into half with Beantown only 2 points ahead.

After the half, Beantown came out fired up and moved almost immediately into Chicago’s half. But Chicago’s defense held strong, keeping Beantown out for twenty minutes – until fresh legs made the difference, with Moose punching a ball into the try zone right under the posts. Jones (on point with her kicks) converted – and not long after, took a penalty kick right in front of the posts for another 3 points. As the 80th minute approached, Town’s energy increased (thanks in part to several strategic subs), and in the final minutes, JP snatched a pass from between Chicago’s centers for a final 5 points. In the actual final minute, Chicago responded with an additional try (no conversion) – but the match was over and Beantown won! It’s on to the semifinal game against Pittsburgh on Sunday!

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-chicago-north-shore-d1-2015-quarter-final-match

Halftime score: 10-8
Final score vs. Chicago North Shore: 25-13

Beantown tries: Kat, Moose, JP; Conversions: Jones (2); Penalty kicks: Jones (2)

Click to see photos of the match, courtesy of Lynne Skilken

Big thanks to all of our fans, near and far. Players are feeling the support of friends, family, and alums, near and far. Particular thanks to the generosity of those who have made a donation to our fundraising page. If you’ve not given yet, please consider making a gift today.

Beantown’s D1 side successfully came back from a first half deficit to defeat Boston in the Atlantic North Competitive Region 3 Playoff game to move ahead to the Eastern Regional Playoffs in Charlotte. The Beantown D2 side wasn’t quite as fortunate, losing by one crummy point against Charles River to be bounced from the playoffs.

D1 vs Boston:

Boston managed some early momentum in the game, scoring a try within the first five minutes and another around the 20th minute by capitalizing on Beantown mistakes with their backs putting the points across to go up by 12 points. Most of the half was played in the Boston end, with no extended pressure by Boston in Beantown’s territory. We were within 10 meters of the try zone several times but couldn’t capitalize. The half ended with Boston in the lead by 12 points.

Beantown scored its first try about 10 minutes into the second half and again about 10 minutes later. One was a forwards’ try after some extended pressure in the Boston 22. Beantown forwards were able to march down the field with measured rucks, forcing Boston to unevenly defend our backs. The second try was a backs’ try by Alyssa after some really lovely play from quite a ways out, using a break and great support. Jones slotted in both conversions, the second being key to breaking the tie in points.

Points became harder to come by and the game was still too close through the end of the second half, keeping Boston’s individual talents in mind and their ability to break through and score. However, Beantown still held territorial and possession advantage throughout the second half, with a couple of heroic scramble defense/chasing down by the backs to keep the score as it was.

Beantown dominated scrums the whole game and happily a penalty was awarded about 10 meters out at the end of the game; Beantown chose a scrum and walked in for a last try, for a final score of 19-12!

Final score vs. Boston: 19-12

Watch the game on YouTube

The three elimination games for the Senior Club D1 Nationals Playoffs are split into two weekends: first, quarter & semi-finals in Charlotte on the 5/30-5/31 weekend. Then, a win in Charlotte will send Beantown to Glendale, Colorado for the final game on 6/13. To help defray the costs for the players traveling and help bring home a National Championship, please consider making a tax-deductible donation.

D2 vs Charles River:

Unlike in the D1 game, the Beantown D2 players spent the vast majority of the game defending against the large, tough Charles River pack and tackling, tackling, tackling players in the backs. The scoring was more balanced, trading tries in the first half (Autumn, with Rhi converting) for a halftime score of 7-5.

Another tradeoff of tries in the second half (Jackie F) put Beantown up 12-10. An exciting break down the side led to another Beantown try (Duzzi & Rhi) and the score at 19-10 until the last 10 minutes. Charles River didn’t quit and were able to put across the two tries they needed to go up by that crummy point with 3 minutes left.

Final score vs Charles River: 19-20

Spring came to Newport last weekend, and so did Beantown, ready take another NERFU cup and continue a long-winning tradition. A long weekend with three games Saturday and the championship on Sunday gave everyone plenty of playing time and the opportunity to switch up selections… as well as time to hang out, eat some hamburgers, and pet dogs. Matches on Saturday were twenty minute halves, and twenty-five minute halves for the final on Sunday.

SATURDAY

vs. Boston

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-boston-spring-2015-nerfu

Halftime score: 5-0
Final score v. Boston: 15-0

Beantown tries: Jones, forwards, Kat

vs. Albany

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-albany-spring-2015-nerfu

Halftime score: 5-12
Final score v. Albany: 22-12

Beantown tries: Kat (3), E; Conversions: Xanni

vs. Providence

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-providence-spring-2015-nerfu

Halftime score: 17-0
Final score v. Providence: 27-7

Beantown tries: forwards, Ali, Xanni, Jackie, Kat; Conversion: Xanni

SUNDAY

Championship vs. Boston

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-boston-spring-2015-nerfu-championships

Halftime score: 12-0
Final score v. Boston: 22-10

Beantown tries: Jones, Kat, Kelsey, E; Conversion: Jones

After a Saturday of travel (1, 2) and tourism in our nation’s capitol (3, 4), Beantown booted up for a Sunday double-header against the DC Furies’ WPL and D2 sides at the field at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.

Click here to see photos from the game.

vs. DC Furies WPL

It was a cloudy, windy day in DC as Beantown’s D1 side faced off against their former WPL competitors for the first time since switching leagues. The match was physical, especially in the scrums, where the Furies initially had the advantage but where Beantown came to dominate.

Play in the first half of the match was close. An early try attempt from the Furies was held up. Then twenty minutes in, after numerous forward phases in the Furies’ 22, Beantown scored the first and only try of the half, putting the ball over in the corner.

After halftime, however, the difference between the two teams began to show. Thanks to a breakaway from their #12, Furies responded to a converted Beantown try with their own try and a conversion, but that would be DC’s only score of the match. Though play ranged from one try line to the other, ultimately Beantown’s aggressive defense and quick response to capitalize on opportunities took the day.

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-furies-wpl-spring-2015

Halftime score: 5-0
Final score v. DC Furies WPL: 29-7

Beantown tries: Kat, Sam, Jones (2), Xanni; Conversions: Jones (2)

vs. DC Furies D2

Beantown and the Furies D2 sides faced off for a second intense, physical match. Despite some players starting in new positions (including an entire set of backs in the 6, 7, and 8 jerseys), Beantown quickly gelled and dominated the field, beginning with a try ten minutes in. Multiple times, Beantow’s aggressive defense saw Town moving the Furies’ offense backwards across the field. The Furies made only one try, a run up the sideline into the corner after a turnover. Rookie debut: Abby.

Read the play-by-play: https://storify.com/BeantownRFC/vs-dc-furies-d2-spring-2015

Halftime score: 20-7
Final score v. DC Furies D2: 34-7

Beantown tries: LB, Duzzi (2), Kerri, Secret, Alyssa; Conversions: Jess (2)