Cape Storm Wraps Another Rugby Season

Jersey Cape Storm U-19 rugby wrapped up another successful campaign last week with Lower Cape May soccer captain and first-year outside center Matt Nowakowski leading the squad in scoring with 67 points.
“Matt is a great runner who finds space and has a knack for taking the ball at full-pace,” said Storm coach Mike Badger. “Matt’s the best kicker for points I’ve coached.”
Badger said three Jersey Capers were invited to try out for the Eastern Pa. Rugby Union All-Star team in Philadelphia. If selected, they travel to Pittsburgh to compete against national all-star teams and be considered for the USA U-19 National Team.
The trio includes 2009 LCMR graduate Kyle Boyle, Caper sophomore Evan Hagan and Cape May Tech senior Jon DeHainaut.
“Kyle played fullback, but can play anywhere because he’s a hard runner and excellent tackler with impressive ball-handling skills,” said Badger, an active player with the Jersey Shore Sharks.
Hagan, a first-year player who earned a starting spot at prop, uses strength and “surprising mobility,” according to Badger. “Evan’s smart and learned the game quickly. He’s becoming more versatile than the average big man.” Hagan was nominated for the all-star squad by West Shore United coaches, an EPRU playoff opponent.
DeHainaut is a second-year standout “with a knack for tracking the ball and finding running room,” said Badger, who credited DeHainaut’s speed and sound tackling.
The Storm received strong efforts from senior fly half Mike Angelucci of Ocean City High School along with LCMR seniors Tom Mohr, B.J. Walker and Taylor Smith.
“Mohr is probably the best tackler in the forward pack,” noted Badger. “Walker is a crafty ball carrier and excellent on-field leader who kept his and the team’s composure in heated situations. Smith is a defensive stalwart with breakaway speed.”
The Storm returns an impressive roster next season, including LCMR’s Angel Sotomayor whom the coach calls “one of our smartest and most versatile players.”
Prop/hooker Pat Hughes, prop Josh Fitzpatrick, prop/hooker David Bedsole and hooker Mike Shaffer, all Caper juniors, add experience and proven talent. Flankers Sal Sorace of LCMR and Steger Beach Service and Adam Nugent of Ocean City “are fast, scrappy and excellent tacklers,” said Badger.
The coach called Sorace “a huge asset” as a lineout jumper and said first-year lock John Selgrath of Cape Tech “has the potential to be a dominant player,”
In the backs, LCMR junior John Abadie moved to wing this season but could return to the centers for what should be a standout senior campaign. “He’s an excellent tackler and as hard a runner as we have,” said Badger.
Winger Pat Wood brings versatility while freshman scrumhalf Ty Altieri was a pleasant surprise. Utility back Colin Murphy of OCHS is a strong runner with solid kicks. Murphy displayed strong potential and should shore up the 2011 back line.
Badger felt the Storm “definitely stepped up and proved we can compete with anyone.” The coach credited the squad’s increasing experience for its successful season.
“The fact that many of them played last season not only made us better on the field, but also made the learning process for new teammates much quicker,” said Badger. “We had quality depth with a roster of 45. It’s a rugged sport and guys get banged up. When they did we were able to fill in with quality players.”
Badger noted that the Storm doubled in roster size and friends or classmates who played last season recruited most new players.
“That’s the biggest compliment you can get as an organization,” said Badger. “We got a level of commitment from our players that was evident in our play.”
The coach hopes “to continue providing an environment where young men can learn and excel in the sport of rugby.” He feels the game can be a platform for instilling strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility, commitment and composure.
“There are more young men in Cape May County interested in rugby,” said Badger. “We have a base from Lower and Ocean City, with growing numbers from Cape Tech and Middle. We’d like to see players from Wildwood and Catholic get involved, possibly this summer, when we begin our Rugby 7s season which is seven on seven.”
Badger is assisted by Julian Dean, Roger Howell, Alex Brigdon, Tom Chernack, trainer Jim Farrel and administrator Vanessa Badger.
Jersey Cape does struggle to find funding. “We were lucky to have dedicated parents develop fundraisers,” said Badger. “We’ll organize off-season fund-raising to pay for travel and new equipment. We’d like to be financially prepared for the Mid-Atlantics or Nationals should we get that far!”
Interested players can visit www.capestorm rugby.org and click on the “How to Join” page, or e-mail admin@cape stormrugby.org.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
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