FERMOY, IRELAND (March 18, 2010) -- Although the Vassar College men's rugby team trailed just 5-0 after the first 40 minutes of play on Thursday, Fermoy scored eight tries in the second half en route to a 45-0 win over the Brewers in the final game of their Spring Break trip to Ireland.

Vassar College Men 0 v Fermoy Men 45

The first 40 minutes of this game were fantastic. The Fermoy 2nd XV took the field and scored within 3 minutes to lead 5-0. Vassar responded with an excellent 37 minutes of rugby during which they created chances, defended bravely as evidenced by 2 try saving tackles on the goal line that jarred the ball loose, and both teams kept the ball in hand.

Vassar deserved better than this scoreline on a night when they showed they could absorb pressure and counter punch. There were numerous highlights for the Brewers particularly in the first half when they might even have taken the lead.

Vassar's James Purtle burst through the centers but when he drew the fullback, what was probably a try scoring pass drifted forward. Zack Kent popped out of a tackle come maul just inside his 22 and flew down the wing only to be caught as he attempted to step inside the last defender. Kent again almost went over in the right corner after some great continuity and then swift hands, but a good cover tackle got him a yard from the goal line. Iain Gordon and Ian Ruginski stole Fermoy lineout and the Vassar eight worked hard throughout. At scrumhalf Conor Boylan was under intense presure but managed to get most of his passes away. While at fullback Brett Anker looked like an experienced old head and given this is his second game ever that is some compliment! But probably the best moments of the first half were the tackles put in by Purtle and Jake London aka "Moose" as they shut down the midfield in style.

So what happened in that second half to explain 8 tries? First, Fermoy altered their tactics and put the ball in behind with some well placed kicks. These were chased down the slope and Vassar was under pressure unable to counter-attack. Second, Fermoy were more patient before putting the ball wide. Their forwards had a significant size and weight advantage and it had earned them ample yards in the first half and they repeated this in the second 40. They succeeded in tying up more defenders and then going wide. Third, they brought on some 1st XV players just "To give 'em a run out!" As the game went on the gaps began to appear as the Brewers tired and even with the fresh legs of the substitutes the spell had been broken.

At the half the Brewers dared to imagine victory! If they could keep their lineout dominance and ride their strong defense and maybe if they forced enough errors they could get a couple of tries. But Tantalus must be an Irishman for just as Vassar reached up sweet victory was pulled away!

Vassar return home a good deal more street-wise and with 3 games under their belt now this spring will want to show the student-body that they are a good team. All games this spring are at home so please come out to the Farm and see for yourself what a great bunch of lads represent the college at rugby.

Squad (everybody played): Brett Anker, Jerry Dieudonne, Jake London, James Purtle, Connor O'Neill, Conor Boylan, Dan Zabar, Hal Moore, Barrington Archer, Nik Goldberg, Andrew Massey, Aaron Colton, Sam Thomas, Iain Gordon, Tyler Blake, Brian Carvajal, Nick Campbell-Seremetis, Matt Elisofan, Alan Kenney, Brandon Greene, Kris Adkins, Adam Steel, Kevin Frodell, Zach Kent, CJ LeSueur, Nic Placeres, Ian Ruginski, Russell Webner.
Injured: Stefan Schwartz, Joe Karpman, & Rahul Kanade.

Next: Wednesday March 24, 2010 versus Albany Men KO 5:00 p.m.
Overall record 2009-10: 2-8-1.