Cheshire Rugby Represents Connecticut In New England Regional Tournament

July 26, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Aaron Perlroth didn’t have expectations, when he came out for the Cheshire Rugby Club last spring. Perlroth grew up playing soccer and was persuaded by friends to pick up a new activity. So when he competed regionally last month, he couldn’t have been more surprised.
Perlroth, along with Cheshire teammates Cody Nugent, Dan Barnes, Tucker Bartone, Kyle Bickell, and Matt Kleinberg, were named Connecticut U-19 Select representatives for the New England Regional All-Star Tournament on June 22. They started a pair of 45-minute games against an ‘A’ and ‘B’ side from Massachusetts in Holden, Mass. The fourth team was a combination of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont players.
“It was great. It put a smile on my face,” recalled Perlroth, of his selection. “It showed my hard work pays off. I had to train just to play in the Cheshire games.”
Cheshire Assistant Pete Velcofsky joined the boys as administrator and forwards coach.
“It was a good benefit for the Cheshire kids,” added Nugent. “Just the fact that we knew someone on the team, didn’t go in there alone. It’s nice to have a partner and friend with you during the tryout.”
The night before the tournament, Perlroth and Nugent graduated from Cheshire High School. The opening game extended their range of emotions. Connecticut and Massachusetts ‘B’ battled through a marathon contest. Kleinberg, a flanker, scored the final try of regulation to tie the score at 17-17.
“It was a good game,” stated Bickell, who plays second row. “We were up by two tries, but they came back. We went to a two-minute overtime and the defenses stopped each other. I’ve never seen a game come down to penalty kicks.”
Perlroth, who was inconsistent in kicking earlier in the game, had his opportunity at redemption. He converted the second of three kicks, as Connecticut swept the competition 3-0.
“I was nervous. I’ve never had that much (pressure) on my shoulders before,” explained Perlroth. “I missed several of the conversion kicks, but made one to keep it tied. I was definitely down on myself. I’ve never been this big a part of a team, so I didn’t learn to keep my composure, when making mistakes. You could see my frustration, but the players and coaches kept me calm and helped me come through for the team.”
Nugent contrasts the limited experience of Perlroth. A 2010 captain of the Cheshire club with John Sheehan, he was invited to the United States All-American training camp last December at the University of California-Santa Barbara. Nugent actually faced a former teammate in the second game with Massachusetts ‘A.’
“He starts for the USA (team) side. He played scrum half and I ended up playing scrum half,” said Nugent. “They ended up having three or four All-Americans on the team and we got beaten bad. We did have good experience, but not as much as them. They had two to three practices a week and been playing together for four to five years. Their speed and level of play was on a higher pitch.”
Massachusetts ‘A’ led 28-0, en route to a 42-7 victory. Kleinberg scored the lone try at the start of the second half and Perlroth added the conversion.
“It was very surprising. I had never played kids with that much size and speed,” reflected Perlroth. “We tried to keep up with them.”
“He is really coming into his own,” said Velcofsky, of Kleinberg. “We are looking for him to do big things next year.”
Connecticut players were identified during the state tournament on May 29. From there, organizers invited a pool to try out for the regional team at Trinity College. Robert Merola, who runs the Trinity program, coached the All-Stars.
“Once USA rugby let me know (of administrative position), I told a lot of guys to try out,” recalled Velcofsky. “Fairfield and Simsbury didn't send a large number of kids and our guys played well. We are well-disciplined, but just don't have the same amount of kids compared to Greenwich yet.”
“For the first week, we did drills against each other. They split us up and we worked on basic fundamentals, like handling the ball and tackling,” said Nugent. “Next week, we got more together as a team and scrimmaged. It helped see our team and how we played together. I think we practiced another week and went over plays.”
While initially concerned about portraying himself as a captain, Nugent had no trouble fitting in.
“Since I have played with multiple teams, I’m used to being around different guys. I’m not shy,” Nugent explained. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to them (out of rugby), but on the field, I congratulated them when they scored. It wasn’t hard for me.”
Bartone and Barnes made an impact at full back. Barnes also played wing. According to Velcofsky, USA rugby sent a pair of national U-19 selectors to watch the tournament.
“I thought they did good,” added Velcofsky.
This experience creates optimism for the 2011 season. Cheshire had high expectations last spring, but injuries and a tough schedule factored into a 3-5 record. Sheehan and Ben Phillips were among the players who missed time to injury. Barnes, Bickell, Kleinberg, Bartone, and Phillips hope for a strong senior year under Head Coach Joe Masi.
“My first year, I only played two varsity games,” added Bickell. “I started as a sophomore and didn’t expect that. I have been doing that ever since.”
Velcofsky feels the healthy return of Phillips will help the club.
“His younger brother, Joe, will be a freshman and has a good chance to play next year,” reflected Velcofsky.
Nugent and his older brother Brian (2007 CHS graduate) are contributing for a select U-23 collegiate squad this summer. Cody will join him at Central Connecticut State University, along with playing for the Hartford Wanderers this fall. Brian is entering his senior year.
“The last two tournaments, we started side-by-side,” said Nugent. “We are not unfamiliar with each other on the field.”
Perlroth is going to see how his schedule works at Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston, Mass.).
“They do have a club team, so I’ll look into it,” stated Perlroth, who plans to major in architecture. “I didn’t know about rugby and fell in love with it.”
Players are also assisting the Second Annual Tough Rugby program, sponsored by the Cheshire Parks and Recreation Department. They meet twice a week at Quinnipiac Park.
“I wish, when I was younger, they had this,” said Bickell, whose father (Kris) instructs the youngsters. “Once we leave (Cheshire) next year, the numbers go down. We need to start recruiting. It’s good to see those kids show an interest in rugby.”