Sports Highlights

By Don Lyons - September 20, 2007

Shut out again

It happened in the fourth quarter with the Vineyard up, 7-0.

Everyone except the officials thought that Bubba Brown had tackled the Carver ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, but instead the ball was placed on the Crusaders one-foot line, fourth and long. The punted ball came to rest around the Carver 40 without being touched. All of a sudden Nick Viera picked it up and set sail for the Crusaders end zone, arriving untouched as teammates cleared a path down the right side line.

That fourth quarter TD plus Zack Coutinho's extra point kick, was added to a first period score by Josh Paulson (and a Coutinho kick) to make the final M.V. 14, Carver 0.

It was the second shutout in as many games for the Vineyard defense which showed again it could bend without breaking.

By our count, Paulson carried 15 times for close to 100 yards. But the real star of the game was the defensive line.

It was the second time in as many starts that the game ended with a Vineyard pass interception. Last week it was Ben Rossi. This week, Nick Fogt.

Tomorrow the team is in the western part of the state at Lee. Game time is 7 pm.

Jayvees

The MVRHS junior varsity squad lost its game at Carver, 20-0. Tomorrow they play at Mashpee.

Gaff riggers race

The 20th Pat West Gaff Rigged schooner race was especially memorable because of a front with 45-knot gusts that roared through while the boats were on the homeward beat from Edgartown harbor.

Skippers dealt with the big winds in differing ways, but all came through the experience intact.

Twenty-one boats had registered for the race. Six decided to stay in port. Of the 15 that started, 10 finished.

Juno, with Scott DiBiaso at the helm, was first in 3:00:08 corrected time. Jeff Robinson's Phra Luang was second at 3:03:11. Jim Lobdell brought Malabar II in third at 3:06:48. Then came (4) Tim Fallon with Kathleen, 3:13:04; (5) B. Davies in Estrella, 4:09:19; (6) Dan Pesch in Sparrow, 3:55:16; (7) Bobby Crosby in Celeste, 3:58:05; (8) Gary Maynard in Violet, 4:03:28; (9) Lu Yoder in Valora, 4:12:52; and (10) Tom Graham in Swallows & Amazon, 4:17:50.

When and If, Perception, Eliza, Wilbur, and Rosalie did not finish.

The smallest boat, Rosalie, disappeared and was a grave concern to the race committee, but eventually she was found safe and sound. Having seen the front looming, Geoff McCollough had returned her to the safety of Edgartown harbor.

Falmouth clipped

The MVRHS soccer teams took on Falmouth, Saturday. The Island boys varsity beat the Clippers at Falmouth, 3-1, on two goals by Joao Paulo Oliveira and another by Filipe Freitas. Nick Cuba assisted twice.

The boys junior varsity tied Falmouth, 1-1.

Monday the yet-to-be beaten boys blanked Bourne, 2-0 with goalie Nico Cuba organizing the defense - Kenny MacDonald and Ryan Dwane. Leandro Trindade's goal gave the Vineyard a 1-0 lead in the first half. Filipe Freitas iced the cake in the final minute of the second. The Islanders record improved to 4-0-2. They flew to Nantucket (2-1-1) yesterday.

Girls lose

Playing at home, Saturday, the Island girls were shut out by visiting Falmouth, 4-0. Monday, Rachel Schubert's goal in the first half averted another shutout, this time by Bourne, 6-1. Bourne's Jessica Perry accounted for half the Canal ladies' points.

The Islanders (0-3-1) have yet to post a win.

The pairin' on the greens

Old Rochester Regional handed the Vineyard golfers their second loss of the season (4-2) at Farm Neck and remained undefeated in six matches, Monday, 38.5 to 33.5. The Bulldogs' Jake Winn, firing in the second flight, had the medalist round of 37.

Tony Grillo won his first flight match, 6-3, but his flight-mate Albion Alley lost by the same margin.

The second flight was also a split with Henry Smith winning, 5-4, and Luke Pisano losing, 2-7.

ORR took both of the third flight pairings from Gregg Leonard, 3-6 and Sam Scott, 3.5-5.5.

Alex Bilzerian won in the fourth flight, 7-2, but Gus Hayes lost a squeaker, 4-5

The busy purple iron swingers played at Sturgis yesterday, entertain Seekonk today, and visit Falmouth tomorrow.

Chip in for Habitat

Habitat for humanity is sponsoring its second hole-in-one and putting tournament at Farm Neck Golf Club on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Competitors will chip from 60 yards to a practice hole on the driving range. Participants may take as many trips around the putting course as they wish. Clubs and balls will be provided to those who do not have their own. Prizes will be awarded to persons with the three lowest scores and for youngsters 10 to 15 years old.

Funds will go to help Habitat for Humanity build its fifth house on the Vineyard.

See houses@habitatmv.org or call 508-696-4646 to learn more.

Pistol-packin' Cristeas

The Cristea brothers of Edgartown, Jonathan and Joel, won the pistol championship shootouts at the Rod & Gun Club, Sunday. Jonathan's winning small caliber score was 340. Brother Joel's high mark in the large caliber division was the same, 340 of a possible 400.

Second place in both divisions went to David Roberts.

In the non-member division, Heather Mead and Jeanne Pierson finished one - two.

Abridged

Just three tables were in play at the Bridge Club of M.V., Saturday. Dr. Elizabeth M. Clanton and Brenda Davenport played their hands best. Claudia Bowser and Joan Jonston were second best.