POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 24, 2012) -- The Molloy College men's rugby team came to Poughkeepsie having had a strong fall season and had qualified for the Division III Regional Playoffs being the top Division III team in the Metropolitan New York Rugby Union. They are moving up to Division II next Fall and last weekend they defeated Hofstra University convincingly so they were full of optimism taking on the Brewers. However, that hope was short lived as Vassar quickly got into stride and in the process scored 11 tries to run out emphatic winners.

Vassar College Men 59 v 17 Molloy College Men
Tries: James Purtle (3), Andrew Moore (1), Elliott Baker (1), Akeel St. Vil (1), Brett Anker (2), Adam Steel (3). 
Cons: Brett Anker (2).

Next: Saturday March 31, 2012 versus Columbia University Men at Vassar College, kick-off 2:00 p.m.

The Spring Season is a short one with games on the last weekend of March and then every weekend in April, so getting off to a good start is critical. Captain James Purtle's final comments to the team prior to kick-off were that the fall had ended with a bad loss and he wanted that memory erased. He set a wonderful example and ran hard and straight, mostly over and around his opposite number constantly getting over the gainline. He opened the scoring as Vassar started at a good pace that caught the visitors off-guard. Adam Steel, Purtle, and Akeel St. Vil tortured the Molloy defenders but it was the quick ruck ball that made it possible. Kudos to the forwards who were sharp and direct.

In a win like this every player has moments worthy of mention. The Vassar backrow of Placeres, Kenney, and Ruginski may be slight in stature but you would not know it from the manner of their play. Kenney is a terrier, Placeres slipped through the smallest of gaps and Ruginski punches well above his weight. The front five outscrummaged Molloy and the lineouts went well. Coach Mark Griffiths may not be here this spring in person but his forwards did him proud.

It was also good to see the backs scoring when they did move the ball wide. They can tip their hats to players such as Andrew Moore who carried intelligently, Tyler Blake, and all the forwards as they held the Molloy defense close to the fringes allowing for space out wide.

For most of the second half Vassar shuffled players so as to get a look at combinations that may be used in Fall. Nick Graham at 9, Akeel St. Vil at 10, and Alex Voynow at 2. Miguel Salcedo played on the left wing, Elliot Baker on the right, and Jehan Shams came on at prop. Shams had an audacious dummy and run from his own 22 that brought the crowd to their feet.

Molloy never gave up the chase and scored a couple of good tries in the final 10 minutes and they will be better prepared for next fall. It is a young rugby program just a few years old and the fact that they are accepting the challenge of moving up speaks volumes for their character.

Next weekend Vassar will face probably their sternest test this year when they take on Columbia. The Ivy League school are usually big, strong, and well organised. Not a game to miss.

Team: 15 Hayden Moon 14 Elliot Baker 13 Nick Graham 12 Akeel St. Vil 11 Brett Anker 10 James Purtle 9 Adam Steel 1 Joe Karpman 2 Hal Moore 3 Dan Flynn 4 Tyler Blake 5 Andrew Moore 6 Nic Placeres 7 Alan Kenney 8 Ian Ruginski. Subs: Alex Voynox for Hal Moore, Jehan Shams for Joe Karpman, Jonathan Chu for Tyler Blake, Miguel Salcedo for Elliot Baker, Matt Choe for Brett Anker, Myles Jarrett for Hayden Moon, Riley McCabe for Adam Steel.