This past weekend homeside Lansdowne put on a convincing display as they took it to North Jersey Rugby Club by 43-5.  The Irishmen opened the scoring in minute eight.  Some terrific work by Austin Purcell and Captain Mark Giordano led to hooker Mike Crosby slamming down in the in-goal.  Sennin Flanagan's conversion was successful.  Just four minutes later Blake Mannion had a quick tap penalty.  Winger Mannion continued his massive try scoring pace as he touched down, thereby giving Lansdowne a 12 point advantage.  In minute 16, North Jersey were on the attack and threatening deep. But Mike Crosby stole the ball in tackle and had a thunderous run upfield as he took a few North Jersey defenders with him.  Crosby's impressive feat returned the momentum back to the homeside.

Minute 31 saw North Jersey looking to score again as they were fluid in recycling the ball.  But Joe Giordano made a cracker of a hit.  The loose ball was gobbled up by Mark Giordano, who promptly sprinted from midfield into the in-goal to give the Irishmen a 17 point lead.  Three minutes later Mark Giordano grabbed a ball out of a ruck at midfield.  He spun out wide to Blake Mannion, who galloped in for his second try of the afternoon.  Sennin Flanagan converted.  In minute 40, Blake Mannion took the ball out of a ruck at midfield and ran into goal.  Mannion's 3rd try of the day as well as Sennin Flanagan's conversion gave Lansdowne a 31-0 advantage at the half.

At the advent of the second half, the action went to and fro without much result.  But Lansdowne struck in minute 65.  A linkup between Mark Giordano, Eoghan Maher, Man of the Match Ciaran McHenry and Blake Mannion saw Blake collect his 4th try of the match (converted) from 20 meters out.  However 6 minutes later, North Jersey recycled the ball well and were able to run in, thereby giving them their 1st try of the match.  Lansdowne closed the scoring in minute 80.  Cathal McHenry offloaded to John Giordano, who flew in from 20 and touched down.

The B match was a 10 a side affair.  EJ Brutus broke the ice in the 2nd minute.  His impressive 70 meter sprint into goal was converted by John Giordano as Lansdowne were up by 7.  Two minutes later, the numbers were raised by Greg Alexander as he ran in from 20 meters.  In the 7th minute Brian Mahon set up John Giordano, who sprinted in and converted, thereby giving Lansdowne a 19 point lead at the half.  Tyler Flynn opened the scoring in the second half.  He glided in along the touchline in the 15th minute which raised the score to 24-0.  North Jersey responded with a lovely try just four minutes later as they ran in from 30.  But Lansdowne responded accordingly.  Man of the match Jarrett Murphy linked up with Tyler Flynn who ran in for his brace.  Hooker Sean Collum finished the numbers at 34-5 as he slammed down just before the final whistle.

Lansdowne practices are held every Monday and Wednesday at 8:00 PM in Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers.  All interested players should come on down or contact the club at any of the following: website www.lansdownerugbyclub.com, email [email protected] or phone hotline (914)297-8429.  Next up for Lansdowne is a home match against Danbury on October 5.