HBS 31, Bahamas Combined 19
Match Recap
February 16, 2002
Winton Rugby Club
Nassau, The Bahamas
HBS co-captains Sean Gass and Michael Paley announced the following selections:
1 – Derek Mendez (ND), Prop
2 – Anthony Carango (NA), Hooker
3 – Eric Miller (HLS), Prop
4 – Tucker Bailey (NB), Lock
5 – Baron Hanson (FAS), Lock
6 – Mike Dobrynio (OA), Flanker
7 – John Hoffman (OJ), Flanker
8 – Sean Gass (OA), Eightman (Capt)
9 – Adam Diamond (OJ), Scrum Half
10 – Jorge O’Hara (NI), Flyhalf
11 – Brian Connell (OK), Wing
12 – Michael Paley (OD), 1st Center (Capt)
13 – Shoney Katz (NC), 2nd Center
14 – Barry Horgan (OD), Wing
15 – Dann Angeloff (OA), Fullback
RESERVES:
16 – Mike Byrne (HLS), Flanker
17 – Key Kiarie (NK), Wing
18 – Dave Miller (NB), Center
19 – Chris Brezski (OC), Flyhalf
20 – Claude London (OA), pre-tour injured
21 – Mike McLellan (OK), pre-tour injured
22 – Kris Whalen (OF), financial consultant / hockey star
SCORING:
Anthony Carango (2 tries)
Dann Angeloff (2 tries)
Baron Hanson (1 try)
Jorge O’Hara (3 conv, 0 pen)
Match Highlights
Co-Man-of-the-Match John Hoffman provided over-the-top Rugby skills for HBS in the #7 jersey. As usual, Hoffman was all over the park making key tackles, setting up champagne moves and try-scoring plays.
With a tactical nose for the ball, Anthony Carango maintained the fierce HBS forward gameplan, scoring two driving tries at the line (and dropping another), and directing lineout play.
With little winter scrum training, the HBS forwards still held tight against a bigger Bahamian pack. Led by the front row, HBS won three scrums “against the head” pilfering Nassau’s chances for ball advancement. Derek Mendez left the game in the first half due to a high BAC sprain, and did not return. Mike Dobrynio filled in magnificently for Mendez and Eric Miller played like a mad Scotsman in the front row.
Tucker Bailey spent most of the afternoon twelve feet in the air, brilliantly snatching offensive and defensive ball from the lineouts.
HBS Scrum Half and Tour Director Adam Diamond maintained his management skills on the pitch in the #9 jersey. In a fierce match, Diamond was a key link between the forwards’ work and the backline’s moves.
Dann Angeloff’s skillful running in the back line placed HBS in scoring position early in the match, with Angeloff taking in two tries as well.
Chris Brezski was tackled in the open field by the invisible man. Barry Horgan then followed with an attempt to use Brezski’s head in a drop goal.
In the second half, Brezski was taken to nearby hospital for treatment – a few holes in his head was all! Light punctures brought on by metal cleats and stomping Bahamians were a favor eagerly returned by the HBS piggies. Chris made it back to pitch in time for the drink-up, thanks to the efforts of pre-tour injured Mike McLellan.
Dave Miller, making the bone-crunching, crowd-pleasing tackle of the match, set the tone early in the second half for invincible backline play in defense of HBS’s modest lead.
Shoney “Smiles” Katz played the whole match without smiling.
Key Kiarie got his wish, “proving he still has it” in his first-ever rugby match. Not a bad place to lose one’s Rugby virginity!
Sean Gass ended the match bleeding and exhausted, quietly playing one of his fiercest matches ever. All afternoon Sean delivered blow after blow, rucking and tackling like a wildman.
In the final minutes of a very physical match, Co-Man-of-the-Match (despite missing a few easy kicks right in front of the post) Jorge O’Hara made a world-class rugby pass behind his back to incoming Baron Hanson at full speed. Stutter stepping his opposing wing, Hanson raced 45 meters to outrun two more Nassau defenders for the game-sealing HBS try.
