POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 24, 2009) -- The Vassar men faced Southern Connecticut at the Farm and the visitors had everything to play for as they are in the hunt for a playoff spot. Vassar is out of contention but seemed determined to put up a good fight. The game was very much like a lot of the games this year. Some good spells of pressure in the opposition half but little or no points to show on the scoreboard. Vassar needed to get ahead of the visitors and force them to play catch-up. The Brewers needed to monopolize the ball and keep the game structured.

Vassar College Men 7 v Southern Connecticut Men 29
Tries: Adam Steel (1).
Cons: James Purtle (1).

The first half was edged by Vassar in terms of territory and possession but the score was 14-7 to S.Conn. The game was tied for most of the half at 7-7 after S.Conn went up and then Vassar replied with an Adam Steel dive over the line following a penalty play and a couple of quick rucks.

The Vassar forwards had a good first half and in particular in the scrums they dominated. Rhys Bambrick, Kevin Frodell, and Barrington Archer up front did a number on their opponents. But possession was not turned into points and that was to prove crucial.

There was also a problem of holding on to the ball. Vassar made good progress only to either have the ball knocked out in the tackle or knock the ball on, usually at critical moments.

In the second half the supply of ball lessened significantly as Vassar kept losing the battle at the breakdown. S. Conn did a better job of contesting the rucks and it allowed them to get some ball. Even though S.Conn lost scrum and lineout ball they managed to win the rucks and it was this loose ball that was more difficult to defend.

14-7 became 21-7 and Vassar was constantly on the defense. When they did launch a counter-attack the ball was lost in contact and S. Conn swiftly moved it wide to score. It might seem harsh but players must realize that it is care of the ball and maintaining possession that is more important in contact than getting an extra yard or breaking through.

Team: 15 Roku Fukui 14 Paul Tkaczuk 13 James Purtle 12 Stefan Schwartz 11 Conor Boylan 10 Connor O'Neill 9 Garrett Montgomery 1 Rhys Bambrick 2 Kevin Frodell 3 Barrington Archer 4 Tyler Blake 5 C. J. LeSueur 6 Ian Ruginski 7 Adam Steel 8 Iain Gordon.
Next weekend: Sunday November 1, 2009 versus Fairfield University at Vassar kick-off 1:00 pm
Overall record: 2-4-1.

Vassar College Men "B" 12 v S. Conn. Men "B" 5
Tries: Andrew Massey (1) & Hal Moore (1).
Cons: James Purtle (1).

In the final game of the day the Vassar men put in a hard hitting performance against a very chippy and talkative S. Conn "B" team. The early exchanges were very combative with players from both teams flying into the rucks. It meant that the breakdown was somewhat hectic and messy and too many penalties were given away.

In the first half it was lock Andrew Massey who drove over for the first try of the match. The try followed some very quick pick and goes as Vassar was fast to the breakdown and the S. Conn defense was unable to set-up. James Purtle's conversion attempt hit the post and it was 5-0.

The main portion of the match was evenly fought and as S. Conn pressed to score they committed a penalty in the Vassar 22. Quick thinking by Garrett Montgomery and good support from James Purtle and Hal Moore was rewarded with a good try that had gone a full 75 yards. At 12-0 Vassar was up with just 5 minutes left in the game. S. Conn did get a score to make it 12-5 but time had run out for the visitors.

Team: 15 Jerry Dieudonne 14 Paul Tkaczuk 13 James Purtle 12 Nic Placeres 11 Aaron Colton 10 Conor Boylan 9 Roku Fukui 1 Adam Steel 2 Hal Moore 3 Kevin Frodell 4 Andrew Massey 5 Joe Karpman 6 Alan Kenney 7 Sam Thomas 8 Garrett Montgomery. Subs: Connor O'Neill for Roku Fukui.