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(Old Blue ran out to an early lead and held on. Ed Hagerty photo)
By Ed Hagerty
New York, NY - Old Blue won the Met NY RFU DI Championship with a 29-22 win over crosstown rivals New York RFC.
Old Blue went out to a 22-0 lead a minute into the second half and then withstood New York’s comeback for the win.
| Top, Wade Kelly hoofs one over for Old Blue. Bottom, NY flanker Harold De Lucia goes in for a try. Ed Hagerty photos. |
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Flyhalf Wade Kelly, a highly-touted recruit from Australia, accounted for 14 of Old Blue’s 29 points.
Kelly proved his value by accounting for Old Blue’s first 10 points via a penalty and a converted try to give Old Blue a 10-0 lead.
A spectacular try by Levan Shaorshadze increased Old Blue’s lead in the 33rd minute. Attacking inside New York’s half, Shaorshadze lofted a pop kick at the 40, gathered it at about the five, and went in for the touchdown, 15-0.
Old Blue increased its lead to 22-0 a minute into the second period when center Tony Jerram sped 35 meters for a try that Kelly converted.
New York began its comeback three minutes later when big lock Jamie Bouloux crashed across for a try following a penalty at Old Blue’s five, 22-5.
New York continued its comeback in the 19th minute when flanker Harold DeLucia scored from a scrum at the five and Matt Venzin converted, 22-12.
Old Blue countered with a try of its own two minutes later when a clearing kick was blocked deep in New York’s end. Flanker Ian Elliott scored and Kelly converted, increasing Old Blue’s lead to 29-12.
New York drew closer in the 36th minute when flying wing Carlon Fitzpatrick scored a try that Matt Venzin converted, 29-19.
New York got within a converted try following Venzin’s penalty drop goal in the 42nd minute, but time ran out and Old Blue emerged with a hard earned 29-22 win.
Old Blue 29:
Tries: Kelly, Shaorshadze, Jerram, Elliott
Convs: Kelly 3
Pens: Kelly
New York 22:
Tries: Bouloux, DeLucia, Fitzpatrick
Convs: Venzin 2
Pens: Venzin
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