Sports Briefs 10.13.11

Sharks in First

    The Montauk Rugby Club improved its Met Union record to 4-0 Saturday with a 26-14 win over the Lansdowne R.F.C. in Yonkers. Thus the Sharks are now in sole possession of first place in Division II, though to clinch a playoff spot they’ll probably have to defeat Bayonne, N.J., in an away game on Oct. 22. Meanwhile, Union, N.J., is to play here Saturday at 1 p.m.

    “Lansdowne had a lot of Irish internationals playing for them, but their fitness level was a little off,” Rich Brierley, Montauk’s coach, said Tuesday. “Our forwards and backs were better.”

    The Sharks held a slim 12-11 lead at the half, but scored two tries — one by Steve Turza and the other by Mike Bunce — in the second. Gordon Trotter, the New Zealand-born fly half, who handles Montauk’s kicking, made good on four penalty kicks and converted both tries.

Badminton Club

    Dick Baker announced recently that the 31st season of badminton play had begun at the Amagansett School gym. Games are played there Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9. Baker’s e-mail address is [email protected].

Tai Chi Classes

    Rosie Orlando and Carolyn Giacalone are beginning a six-week, hourlong Tai Chi for Health class at the Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. The first class will be free. Those who sign up for the six-week session will pay $80. Drop-ins are to pay $20.

    “Learn the 12 forms of tai chi while increasing your balance, coordination, and energy,” a flier announcing the new classes says.

    In Sag Harbor, Fred Soroka, whose Epic Martial Arts studio is at 75 Main Street, is offering free tai chi and chi kung classes on Tuesday and Sunday mornings this month.

Goalie Lauded

    Curran Brierley, the freshman goalie on the University of Maine-Farmington field hockey team, has thrice been named the North Atlantic Conference’s rookie of the week this fall. Before going to college, Brierley starred in the cage at East Hampton High School.

Mighty Men

    Thomas Brierley, who’s 15, placed third over all in the recent Mighty Man Sprint Triathlon in Montauk (750-meter swim, 17K bike, and 5K run) in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 47 seconds. Teague Costello, who trains with Brierley, placed 13th in 1:07:54. Because Brierley was a top-three finisher, Costello also topped the 19-and-under age group. Thomas’s father, Craig, placed third in the men’s 44-to-49-year-old group in 1:14:51.