Virginia Rugby Football Club Alumni Weekend
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Charlottesville, VA
Intra-squad match:
The day got started with a warm-up match, with alumni and current players mixed together on the Blue and Orange teams. Blue struck first when fly half James Fealey took advantage of a penalty to feed wing Kerry Griggs for an unconverted try in the corner. Orange took the lead a few minutes later when fly half Evan Davis fed flanker Michael Bischoff at midfield, and Bischoff beat the defense for a 50 meter try. Davis' conversion gave Orange a 7-5 half time lead.
Blue took back the lead ten minutes into the second half on a quick tap penalty near the Orange goal line. Ian Mills passed the ball to Colin Crawford, who crashed through the defense to score. Fealey's conversion put Blue up 12-7. Blue extended their lead ten minutes later after they were awarded a lineout on the Orange 22 meter line. After a few phases, the ball made its way to Fealey, who once again fed Griggs for a try in the corner. The unconverted try gave Blue a 17-7 lead with only a few minutes left to play.
Orange charged back into the match, however, with three tries in the final minutes of the match. The Orange kickoff after the previous try was stolen back from Blue, and Davis chipped over the defense and dove on the ball in the back of the try zone. Davis converted his own try to bring Orange within 3 points at 14-17. On the ensuing kickoff, after a series of passes, the ball made its way back into the hands of Davis, who burst through the Blue defense to score untouched. The unconverted try gave Orange a 19-17 advantage. Orange scored once again on the next kickoff, when after a few phases Davis chipped the ball deep into Blue territory. Shawn Johnson dove on the ball, and the unconverted try brought the final score to Orange 24, Blue 17.
Alumni match:
The second match of the day featured alumni facing off against current players. The alumni set the tone early when fly half Mike Puopolo and center Rob Christian fed the ball to center Johnny McNulty, who burst through the defense to score under the posts in only the first minute of the match. Christian's conversion gave the alumni a 7-0 lead.
The current players struck back in the 13th minute. The alumni were awarded a lineout deep in their own territory, but eight man Damien Blanchon stole the lineout and and beat the alumni defense for a solo try. A missed conversion by Davis left the alumni with a 7-5 lead. Near the end of the first half, Fealey received the ball wide and made a break through the alumni defensive line. With one man to beat, he fed scrum half Matt Staples for a breakaway try under the posts. Staples drop-kick conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the current players had taken a 10-7 lead.
The second half featured a number of scoring opportunities for both sides, but the defenses held strong. At the final whistle, the current players had earned a hard-fought 10-7 victory over an impressive alumni side.
Photos:
The number eight jerseys for both teams went unworn in memory of Lance Van de Castle.
Fly half James Fealey starting off the intra-squad match.
Forward Marc Breton attacking the Orange defense.
Eight men Damien Blanchon (Blue) and Jason Gaviria (Orange) battled each other on lineouts throughout the match.
Scrum half Matt Staples getting rid of the ball under pressure from lock Aaron Franke.
Fly half James Fealey getting tackled by opposing fly half Evan Davis and passing the ball to scrum half Matt Staples.
Fly half Evan Davis kicking off.
Flanker Michael Bischoff trying to evade the tackle of fullback Gary Larimer, as backs Kerry Griggs (11) and Johnny McNulty (12) pursue.
Kevin Crookes preparing to tackle Bob Sottile.
Center Johnny McNulty getting tackled by fullback Ken Duvall as fly half Evan Davis provides defensive support.
The alumni side.
The current players side.
Center Johnny McNulty scoring the opening try of the second match.
Scrum half Tom Oxenham retrieves a loose ball as teammates Colin Crawford and Chris Washburn look on.
Fullback David Dean tackles eight man Jason Gaviria.
Center Rob Christian running with the ball as fly half Mike Puopolo supports and center Matt Solerno gives chase.
Center James Fealey attempting to chip the ball past fullback David Dean.
Eight man Damien Blanchon scoring a try from a stolen lineout.
Fly half Mike Puopolo passing to center Rob Christian.
Scrum half Matt Staples scoring the winning try.
Wing Hector Lee forcing scrum half Matt Staples into touch as scrum half Kevin Crookes chases the loose ball.
Eight man Damien Blanchon at the back of a ruck.
Flanker Michael Bischoff about to ground the ball in the Orange try zone before fly half Evan Davis can score.
Scrum half Kevin Crookes retrieving the ball from a scrum.
Ron Murray trying to rally the alumni team at half time.
Fly half Mike Puopolo breaking into the open field.
Fullback David Dean bowling through the Blue defense.
Fly half Mike Puopolo kicking for touch.
Fullback David Dean trying to evade flanker Tim Davis.
Scrum half Matt Staples passing to lock Aaron Franke.
Scrum half Matt Staples tackling prop Greg "House" Cooley as flanker Michael Bischoff looks on.
Post-match handshakes.
The next generation.
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