1.) Trezza 2.) Rooney 3.) Holohan 4.) McHale (c) 5.) O'Keefe 6.) Raia 7.) Kallmann 8.) Gray 9.) Chia 10.) Wilson 11.) Kimani 12.) Champ 13.) Bassett-Cross 14.) Vexler 15.) Adil

Subs: Rozger Gubser Verdu Newcombe McCullam Darius Deasy Young Flowers

This game is what everyone has been waiting for all week. The atmosphere is electric as friends and families of the Lions congregate on Randalls Island for this match against old rivals Rockaway. Everyone is looking forward to this clash and the return of Lions legend Stevie Raia. Only the atmosphere before the big France-England World Cup semifinal later that day can be tenser.

Coach Adrian is motivating the team. Coach Mike can't be here for the game, but sends in text messages asking for regular score updates and saying he'd love to be there.

First half: It's a back and forth affair, with both teams losing and then recovering the ball repeatedly. After 10 minutes or so, Rockaway score a try, but miss the conversion 0-5.

In the latest bad injury blow to the Lions, Jerry "Red" Gray goes off the pitch with a rib injury. Several Lions on the sidelines agree: Red is super-tough, so if he goes off, something really bad must have happened. Sunday morning's update on Red: He tore a whole bunch of cartilege, but luckily the bones themselves are ok. But his fall season is over, with the doctor saying it should take about a month for Red to feel normal.

As the match progresses, the Lions backs keep running into a solid defensive wall, and the Lions turn over ball at the breakdown, but Rockaway loses it repeatedly, too. It remains a matchup played in midfield, with no side able to breach the opponents' defense.

Suddenly, Terry Wilson and some Rockaway dude brawl, but get broken up. A little later, it's half time, and it's still a 0-5 game. Captain Steve McHale says let's keep doing what we have been doing, but step it up some more and keep the ball. Adrian tries motivating the backs to keep moving the ball.

Second half: For a long time, it's a similar game as in the first 40 minutes, with no team being able to break through the other's defense and score. But 13 minutes from end, Rockaway score near the touchline as the Lions botch a 22-meter dropout, and Rockaway run it in. The conversion is no good. 0-10

The Lions battle valiantly, trying to score before the final whistle, and they really put their bodies on the line. For example, Johnny Chia goes down with a hit to the knee 10 minutes before the end. But just as Olivier Verdu gets ready to run onto the pitch, Johnny gets up and is ready to play on.

Similarly, Stevie Raia, who in his trademark style had threatened Rockaway several times, gets hit in the face close to the end of the game. Luckily, the result is "only" a black/blue/and more crazy colors eye.

In the end, we give up one more avoidable try and conversion. So, at the final whistle, it's 0-17.

Coach Adrian's match summary: "Fantastic effort today...Everyone put their heart into it. We just didn't find a way through...Backs, you deserve to buy the forwards dinner." And he adds: "We gave up 2 silly tries." Gunner laudes the team's "great effort" and "great fire." Captain McHale comments: "We didn't get the result we wanted today. But I loved playing with all of you."

Stevie Raia later wins the man of the match vote and gets a rousing ovation for his return to the rugby match pitch. Stevie tells people he will be flying to Europe on Sunday, with 3 days in Rekjavik on his way to watching the World Cup final in Paris in a bar.