The Cape Storm, a regional squad of upstart high school rugby players, opened its season last Sunday with a resounding 26-5 pounding of visiting Wilmington, Del.
Cape May County’s Under-19 squad displayed plenty of firepower led by Lower Cape May fly-half Aaron Hedstrom who directed a well-executed backline attack throughout the contest.
The senior’s 40-meter run off of a broken play at a scrum put the Storm on the scoreboard first in the seventh minute of play. Fellow Caper Mike Shaffer hit the conversion kick to put Cape ahead, 7-0.
Shaffer and Storm back-row forwards Sal Sorace of Lower, Adam Nugent of Ocean City and David Lawson of Lower helped keep Wilmington off the scoreboard during the first half, despite playing down a man for 10 minutes after senior prop Pat Hughes was “sin-binned” by the referee.
Hughes returned to score two tries, including one to end the first half, which Shaffer converted, to give the Storm a 14-0 lead. Hughes also tallied midway through the second half. That try went unconverted leaving Cape in command at 19-5 over the Colts.
Several long breaks by Sorace and centers John Abadie of Lower and Seth Miller of Ocean City kept Wilmington on its heels most of the second half, as did several well-placed Hedstrom kicks that Abadie and Miller pressurized well, creating turnovers deep in Wilmington’s end.
Sorace added the Storm’s final try late in the match on a slicing 20-meter run and plunge over the line. Shaffer’s conversion was good.
“Man of the Match” honors went to Abadie in the backline based on his relentless defense and selfless play in attack. Sorace, a consistent standout on defense and in the line-outs, took “Man of the Match” honors in the forward-pack based on his evolution as a formidable offensive weapon and outstanding member of Cape May’s Steger’s Beach Service.
Cape Storm’s second side showed periods of excellent play in a tight 12-5 loss to what amounted to almost all of Wilmington’s first side.
Fly-half Anthony Petito earned “Man of the Match” for his excellent decision-making and hard running while bruising runs and excellent offloads by John Selgrath helped earn the 8-man from Cape May Tech the honors in the forwards.
Cape Storm’s sole try in the second match came on a 50-meter break by Nick Zauck, a sophomore from Ocean City. Flanker A.J. Macfarlane also turned in a notable performance.
Storm head coach Mike Badger has led the squad for each of its three years.
The Lower Cape May Spanish teacher and assistant Caper football coach leads with enthusiasm, a positive approach and a deep love for the game of rugby. Overall he’s coached rugby for nine seasons. Badger is assisted by Julian Dean, Roger Howell, Alex Bridgen and his spouse, Vanessa.
Storm alums Tom Mohr and Kyle Boyle serve as Bader’s “graduate assistants,” according to the coach.
The Storm is open to high school athletes from any school so long as they have not reached age 19 by Sept. 1.
Badger has a nice compliment of veterans from Lower and some new rugby players from Ocean City. He’s hopeful that students from Middle Township, Wildwood Catholic and Wildwood High might give rugby a shot. Some of his players double as lacrosse athletes and work to squeeze out time for both sports.
“This year’s team has a whole bunch of guys that started with me three years ago,” said Badger. “It’s really beneficial to be able to return some experienced players. They know the game now. The lacrosse players certainly bring great conditioning.”
Badger is pleased with the squad’s “nice influx of new guys.”
The coach is happy that this year, he’s got players who can guide their new teammates about where they need to be on the pitch and talk them through questions they may have.
Badger said the 2011 team is more mobile. “It makes us more versatile,” he said. “We’re not as easy to figure out since we’re faster and more experienced.”
The coach said the previous Storm squads may have had more size than this bunch, but “mobility and athleticism will be the trademark this year.”
The Storm travels to the Narberth Otters in a night match at St. Joseph’s University on Sunday, March 27. For more information, visit www. capestormrugby.org
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
