UMW Mother's Rugby at the University of Mary Washington hosted Mount St Mary's at the Battlefield today and after a stop and start first half (that was mostly stop at the goal line) UMW accelerated to an impressive second half performance. No hiding from the fact that this was a big game for UMW, Mount entered the game 2-0 in Rugby East with a recent win over a very good Kutztown, UMW entered the game 0-1 in Rugby East, having lost to #4 Life the week before.
The Mount is to be commended for recognizing and executing on some first half UMW mistakes. Twice the Mount had numbers overload right in front of UMW's bench and twice the flooded the gate and scored.
UMW had the ball in hand the majority of the first half and the Mount played tenacious defense, at one point enduring an almost 20 min of pressure, not giving up a point. At halftime the score was Mount 13, UMW 8 - the large crowd at the Battlefield was pushing UMW to tighten up their phases and simply execute inside the 5 meter mark.
In the second half it was like a switch was turned on and high school teammates centers Sebastian Schefermann and Stuart Duncan were all over the field, both on offense and defense. UMW's pack came alive and team fitness has not looked better with prop Cameron Giwa, flanker Lloyd Stephens and 8-man Nick Ball doing some hard work between tackles. UMW stabilized their lineouts and Nick Ball and lock Bobby Mulvey won almost everything thrown their way. Flanker Jackson Elder played some serious defense and was very effective in loose play.
UMW outscored Mount 31-7 in the 2nd half and a lot of credit can be given to UMW's subs - took them a little bit to get settled but they were ferocious and added a massive spark. The game ended with hooker Tom Williams bulldozong his way into the try zone off a maul and Sebastian Schefermann sailing his kick through the posts.
Final Score UMW 39, MSM 20.
In the second game, which was no less exciting, UMW overcame an early deficit to rally for the win. We could not be prouder of these guys as they rallied for an awesome comeback to win 29-23.
Hooker Matthew Clinton probably gained on average 10 meters per carry and kept UMW on the front foot all day. Luke Willis was super steady at flyhalf, prop Riley Lopez delivered some crunching hits, lock Christos Kalpaxis was all over the field and effective in loose play, but UMW overall just was not really connecting in the first half.
Just like in the first game it took a 2nd half rally and some repeated pressure to break the gain line. Themba Martin-Weir provided some energy in the centers and Douglas Moscrop and Harvey Payne are getting better each week.
It took two late trys and some clutch kicking from Callum Dodds for UMW to pull out the victory.
Final UMW 29, MSM 23
@followers Fall break is next weekend and then we have Penn State at home on October 21st.
