Union Mudturtles Open 2014 Season with Victory over Christian Brothers Academy

On Sunday, March 9, the Union County Rugby Football Club opened the 2014 season at Wheeler Field in Linden with two games against Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft, NJ.  The clash pitted Union, the NJ State Champs at the U-18 Club division last year against CBA which held the NJ High School State Champs title last year and boasted an undefeated season.

In the first game, Union’s U-18A squad, led by Captains Michael Hughes and Chip Mulrooney, posted a decisive 43-12 victory. The beginning of the match was marked by several changes of possession, with both teams threatening to score.  The Mudturtles broke through the CBA defense to get on the board first when Junior Tymir Hinton scored on a 50 yard breakaway run. Khalil Burns, also a junior, burst through minutes later for one of his three scores. CBA struck next with a deep kick that was mishandled to put them on the board putting the score at 10-7 for Union.  The Mudturtles applied heavy pressure that sapped the Christian Brothers Academy forwards for the remainder of the first half, scoring two more times to put the score at halftime 24-7.

Union continued to dominate in the second half. Union Junior Thomas Dazzo scored two minutes into the half and Senior Scrumhalf Mike Hughes punched in the next score. CBA fought hard and came back to score late in the game. Kicking duties for Union were handled by Flyhalf Michael Dabulas who converted 4 of his 8 point-after attempts which helped lead to the final score, Union 43, Christian Brothers 12.

CBA opened the second game of the day with two quick scores against the U-18B Mudturtles. However, the Union squad came back in strong fashion.  Tim Johnston, Eric Swanson, and Isaiah Smith each scored twice. The staunch Mudturtle defense held CBA to only two more scores for the remainder of the game leading to a final score of Union 53 - CBA 24.

The next home game for the Union Mudturtles will be on “Rugby Day” at Kehler Stadium in Westfield on Sunday April 6. .  Rugby Day, sponsored by the Union County Rugby Football Club, is a celebration on all aspects of the sport along with lots of food and fun. For more information about the Union County Mudturtles Rugby Club and current schedules, please visit http://www.mudturtlerugbyyouth.com.