By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
RANDALL'S ISLAND — The New York Rugby Club's march toward a national title came to an end on Saturday, when they fell to Virginia's Norfolk Blues in a close regional playoff held on Randall's Island.
The NYRC were down five points with three minutes left, and just five meters (roughly five and a half yards) out from a trip to the National Sweet 16. But the Norfolk Bues stopped them cold, winning 35 to 31.
"It was a heartbreaker, what can I say," said an emotional Ed Brydon, head coach of the NYRC, after the game. "In the last 10 minutes we put everything we could at their line and we just couldn't break it."
The NYRC was up 11 points at the half. But at the start of the second, they had a tough time handling Norfolk centers Ed Stockunas and Drew Rogers, who combined for two quick tries (one "try" is worth five points). For the rest of the match, the Blues dominated.
"It was a hell of game," said NYRC captain Danny Sonon. "The last three or four minutes we were meters out and we were pushing but they held us."
It was the first trip to the regional playoffs for New York's premier men's rugby club in 8 years, and Brydon was proud of the team's success.
"We've come along way," said Brydon. "We have 60 guys that train hard as a team every week. This will make [us] even more hungry for next season."
