Virginia Rugby Football Club vs. University of Virginia Rugby Club
12:00 PM, Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Hampden-Sydney, VA
In a match hosted by Hampden-Sydney College, the Virginia Rugby Football Club escaped with a close victory over the University of Virginia (UVA). Heavy rains in the preceding days had left the pitch waterlogged, and both sides struggled to hold onto the ball. Play became increasingly sloppy as the game progressed, with neither side generating significant scoring opportunities. Virginia dominated the scrums and lineouts but were unable to convert their advantage into significant points.
Virginia started the match strongly, putting itself into scoring position with a scrum deep in UVA territory in the third minute. Scrum half Todd Applebaum fed the ball to fly half Evan Davis, who barreled his way through multiple UVA defenders to touch down for the try and a quick 5-0 lead. In the 22nd minute, Virginia capitalized on a lineout 30 meters from the UVA goal line. After winning the ball, Virginia moved it quickly out to the backs. Center Shawn Johnson sent a pass wide to fullback Gary Larimer, who beat his defender to score a try in the corner. After a missed conversion, Virginia led 10-0.
The game looked to be getting away from UVA, but they struck back two minutes later when one of their flankers scored a solo try after three missed tackles by the Virginia defense. The conversion brought the score to 10-7.
In the 67th minute, UVA scored on a 35 meter kick to level the score at ten apiece. With ten minutes remaining in the game, Virginia was presented with an opportunity to take back the lead after UVA committed a penalty 30 meters from their goal line. Unfortunately, center James Fealey's kick hit the upright and bounced back into play. Three minutes later, Virginia was given a second chance when UVA was penalized 18 meters out. Fealey successfully converted this kick to regain the lead for Virginia. Virginia's defense held strong until the final whistle, securing a hard-fought 13-10 victory.
Tries:
Evan Davis
Gary Larimer
Conversions:
James Fealey: 0/2
Penalties:
James Fealey: 1/2
Photos (taken by Vowels):
Fly half Evan Davis passing the ball to center James Fealey.
Eight man Damien Blanchon being lifted on a lineout.
Eight man Damien Blanchon in the middle of a maul.
Flanker Michael Bischoff and the rest of the Virginia pack controlling possession on its own scrum.
Virginia stealing the ball on a UVA scrum.
Scrum half Todd Applebaum looking for the ball in a ruck.
Virginia pack preparing for a scrum.
Scrum half Todd Applebaum retrieving the ball from a scrum.
Scrum half Todd Applebaum retrieving the ball presented by center James Fealey.