Jeff Fell breaking tackles. Photo by Newsphoto.com Change is everywhere in the Long Island Colts camp, the high school rugby team has over 20 new players, which has yielded a host of new fans and families out to watch the boys play their new sport. The new look Colts even have new rugby uniforms, and on Sunday the Long Island u19's played on a new turf field for the first time in Massapequa. However, a Nor'easter blew in to spoil the day and a first up Colts win. A candid captain, Jeff Fell admitted his Colts blew a golden opportunity to hand the New York rugby club their first defeat of the season, instead the boys battled to a 0-0 tie. An early opportunity presented itself, when scrum half and man-of-the-match, Gareth McLoughlin opened up the defense and almost scored himself in a thrilling 40 yard run. Fell added, "Our execution let us down as the match wore on and we did not sustain enough pressure down their end - and if we could have things may have been different. We gave momentum to them and hence the pressure." Other new players to impress in the A game were Garden City HS players, Ken Pape, Matt Nesi, Jimmy Kenny, Mike Gallaher & Greg Meli.

Members of the Long Island Colts break up an intended pass from the NY Rugby Club. Photo by Newsphoto.com With both sides still with memories of their 40 - 0 thrashings where the Colts totally dominated the New York team last year, there wasn't the same drama on show again on Saturday. The game became a stop- start affair due to the weather and new player combinations. The Long Island Colts B game however became a surprise high light, winning 30 - 0. All American rugby player, Jeff Fell played like a man among boys and new prop, Rob Ploth, also showed great form. Ploth is a new rugby player and a two-year All County football player. According to Ploth, "rugby is awesome and it is now my new spring sport. Steve McCarthy, a track captain at Kellenberg Memorial HS, scored 2 well earned tries. Other try scorers included, Jeff Fell; 2 tries, TJ McGarrity; 1 try, Mike Gallaher; 1 try.

The Long Island Colts travel to St Peters Prep tomorrow, March 15th, for a 12 pm kick off. Last year the Colts thrashed St Peters 40 - 0 in their opening match, but this year the competition is evenly matched and every team in Div II will prove extremely competitive.

Matt Nesi passes the ball during game action against the NY Rugby Club. Photo by Newsphoto.com You can view many photos from the game against the NY Rugby Club at www.Newsphoto.com