Binghamton Barbarians 42 (17), Elmira Hellhounds 5 (5)
Barbarian Scoring (as best as can be remembered)
Steve Rieben (Try, Conversion)
The Dude (2 Tries)
The Mazz (2 Tries)
Jim O'Brien (Try)
Jeff Andreasen (Try...(thanks, Steve!))
Erik Kelly (Try)
Barb O' The Match: The Mazz (Number 8)
What Went Right:
Support and opportunism and enthusiasm. Holy moly...there were Barbarians flying around to every breakdown, tackling their brains out, winning ball, and being on hand to receive passes or ruck and maul, and when things got chaotic, the Barbs seemed to go to another level. The ball found its way to the wing throughout the second half and when it stopped advancing, it went hither and yon, to and fro, and eventually found its way toward Elmira's goal line. It must've been the weather...
What Went Wrong:
Not much. But to just to bring us back to earth a little, what passed for goal kicking left 14 points on the field. It's probably too late to do anything about this at this juncture, but attention has to be paid to this crucial aspect of the game next years. Games can be won and lost on the boot, and this season ours was untied.
Bottom Line:
It was Binghamton's day. We had great numbers turn out and so we had a lot of depth to draw on when folks got injured, tired, or whatever. Elmira was unlucky to have been hit twice by the injury bug today and they ran out of extras. They said it was demoralizing to look at the huge numbers we had on the sideline. I think older Barbs remember starting games with less than 15 and thinking the same thing, but it's nice when you have the opportunity not only to bring on fresh legs, but to know there are even more behind the one you're bringing on. Hopefully all the new players that came out this year will be around for years to come to carry on the Barb tradition (the one where we have lots of guys and victories...not 12 and getting our collective face stepped on). Another great aspect of today...a hard-hitting, no mercy encounter but with no really bad flare-ups or cheap shots. Thanks to Elmira for not only sticking with it to the end, but for not coming unglued when a call went against them or Lady Luck turned her back on them. The Hellhounds were a class act to the final whistle. Welcome to the league, guys...and see you next year!
It was also pretty great to see a bunch of old Barbs not only down to watch the action (the Rickys Mastrocova, Paul Finnegan, and Mike Callan) but to get in on it as well (John Ulma at scrum half for Elmira and John Shine at ref for the match). Thanks to all for making it down to the park today!