Play is On - Peter Straub PhotoPanthers Rally From First Half Deficit in 13-10 WinFollowing a year-long "time-out" the University of Vermont Men's Rugby team has returned to Division II play this year. With confident early season play and last week's lofty ranking in the NERFU standings they showed up Saturday September 30 determined to take the high-scoring MCRC to task. UVM took the game to the final horn but the Panthers depth and abiltiy to capitalize on mistakes carried them to a 13-10 A side match win under ideal weather conditions.
Meany Evil Eye - Into the Scrum - Peter Straub Photo"UVM played with energy the whole game and Midd had to play catch up. If UVM's skill level matched their intensity, Midd would have come up short" said Midd parent and long-time Friend of Rugby Peter Straub.
Into the Scrum 2 - Peter Straub Photo
Parent Ike Levine called the first half this way (Ike's comments are italicized):
"The UVM team kept Middlebury back in its half of the pitch for nearly the first 15 minutes. We lost the ball in the scrum, the rucks, the malls and in the loose play. With all that Middlebury scored first with a penalty. Then UVM reeled off two long back rotations for two tries. Fortunately, the UVM kicker and his cavalier attitude resulted in both going unconverted." UVM up 10 - 3 at the half.
Communication -Volz / Patterson - Peter Straub Photo"Prior to [the] half the Middlebury forwards came to life with inspired rucking and scrum work. Middlebury scrum pushed UVM off the mark consistantly from the 20 minute mark.""In the second half, Middlebury pack showed improved focus and fitness. Five rotation scrums were lost by UVM. Finally with 20 minutes left in the match, Sparta [Craig Wilson]
took a kick at mid field and spun and weaved his magic in for a try. The conversion tied the match.""With ten minutes remaining Middlebury went on top with a penalty kick" and
"the Midd magic was evident once again" As they say in South Boston: 'It's ova' when it's ova,' and not before.
"UVM mounted an aggressive back movement with their strongside winger going the last 20 meters into goal," but as it had the entire second half, the focused Middlebury back defense responded.
"When all seemed lost, the [Midd] wing and fullback pushed the UVM wing into touch in goal for a 22 meter drop kick. No points, UVM balloon deflated, game over.""Middlebury backs were evenly matched throughout the game but they never retreated nor did they yield any significant ground except for the last near try. Kudos to all for thier grit, fitness, and character not to give in or give up." Commentary provided by Ike Levine.
The MCRC Killer B's, in coaching parlance, "ran away" from UVM in B-side match play.
Next match is Saturday, October 7:
MCRC vs. Babson College AT MiddleburyStart time: probably around NOON or so...
