POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 15, 2012) -- The Vassar College men's rugby team hosted the United States Merchant Marine Academy on the warmest day thus far this spring and both teams put on a display of attacking rugby with a total of 12 tries scored. Referee Pearce Mara, no stranger to the Vassar campus did a good job with two very physical teams and the game flowed well. USMMA were intent on moving the ball wide and really stretched the Vassar defense. Matters didn't get any easier for the Brewers when, before even a quarter of the game had passed and in the space of five minutes, they lost flyhalf James Purtle and inside center Akeel St. Vil. Both have been key players all year and for a moment Vassar struggled falling behind 19-17 at the half.

Vassar College Men 50 v 29 USMMA, Kings Point Men
Tries: Brett Anker (1), Alan Kenney (2), Andrew Jdaydani (2), Elliot Baker (1), & Adam Steel (1).
Cons: Brett Anker (3).
Pens: Brett Anker (3).

Next: Wednesday April 18, 2012 versus University of Albany, at Vassar kick-off 5:00 p.m.

Vassar played the majority of the game without Purtle, their flyhalf and captain, and when inside center St. Vil also had to leave the field, it looked as if the wheels might fall off the wagon. Both have been outstanding in both attack and defense and built up a very good understanding.

So having led 12-5 after an opening try from Anker and a second from flanker Alan Kenney, USMMA managed to lead at the half 19-17. The reshuffled back division for the Brewers saw Anker move from wing to 10 and Andrew Jdaydani went to 12. It took a little time for them to settle in but Anker had a game that he'll long remember. In addition to his opening try he also kicked 3 conversions and 3 penalties for a tally of 20 points.

But as usual there were plenty of contributions as Dan Flynn tackled well, Andrew Moore was all over the park, and Alan Kenney perhaps stole the show with two tries and a host of tackles. He should probably have had three tries but was ruled to have stepped out of the in-goal before grounding the ball in the second half.

Vassar also butchered a couple of golden chances, one in particular comes to mind when Hayden Moon burst through and had a simple 2 v 1 with Adam Steel on his inside. But overall Moon was worth his weight in gold as he made a number of line breaks and also some crucial try saving tackles.

USMMA were intent on moving the ball from touchline to touchline and they did create a number of opportunities. Vassar was guilty of not covering the width of the field and on a number of occasions were caught short. But the Mariners had some handling problems and poor passes or knock-ons let Vassar escape.

Vassar scored first in the second half with an Anker penalty and it gave them a 1-point lead 20-19. They then added a Jdaydani try after a wild clearance kick was returned with interest and it was 27-19. Another penalty by Anker and one thought that there was daylight between the teams at 30-19.

But USMMA responded strongly and Vassar's lack of defensive width was exposed so it was 30-24. Barrington Archer came on and at the second scrum Vassar stole the ball, went down the narrow side and Elliot Baker scored. 35-24 was the score  and Anker's third penalty nudged the Brewers closer to victory at 38-24.

Another two tries, one from Steel and then Kenney's second, sealed the deal although credit is due USMMA for scoring at the end and the final was 50-29.

It was a great pity to see Purtle limp off as he will likely miss the final game of the year and his career at Vassar. He hyper-extended his knee and we'll have to wait and see what the exact diagnosis is for him. St. Vil too will not play this Wednesday as he took a blow to his head. Both will make full recoveries but not play for a while.

Ironically, this game may well be remembered as the game when Vassar managed to get a solid win when two of their better players were injured. Hats off to the team for pulling together, creating and taking try scoring opportunities.

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: Miguel Salcedo for James Purtle, Andrew Jdaydani for Akeel St. Vil, Barrington Archer for Dan Flynn, Jehan Shams for Joe Karpman, Riley McCabe for Adam Steel.

Vassar College Men “B” 36 v 3 USMMA, Kings Point Men “B”
Tries: Ben Chipkin (1), Erik Quinson (1), Jesse Myhill (1), & Riley McCabe (2).
Cons: Riley McCabe (4).
Pens: Riley McCabe (1).

The "B" team came out with all cylinders firing! Within a few minutes Ben Chipkin took a pass from Riley McCabe at full tilt and burst through to score under the posts. McCabe is a savvy customer and also a pretty decent kicker. He slotted 4 conversions and 1 penalty to go with 2 tries for a personal total of 21 points. He did have the advantage of knowing what Anker had done in the previous game!

The "B" side really looked very sharp as the forwards rucked quickly and cohesively. It provided a wonderful go-forward platform for the backs and they needed no second invitation. Erik Quinson sliced through and often linked with the strong running Osama Ogbeide. The latter is just raw talent but he brings a physical edge to the team that is appreciated. Now, if only he could get a schedule that would allow him to practice more often he might learn something! Another newcomer and freshman, Jesse Myhill, is a player in the making. He came into the line at fullback and scored a good try but he is a good tackler and showed no fear in some tough situations.

Up front Jehan Shams is the creative influence for he runs, twists, turns, fakes passes, and gets the team pumped up. His forwards rumbled. Another huge contributor who stood out today was Marco Castro. He ran and dropped his shoulder into contact and looked to be having fun. It was 22-3 at the half and then McCabe's 2 tries meant a convincing 36-3 win for the Brewers.

Team: 15 Jesse Myhill 14 Elliot Baker 13 Osamagbe Ogbeide 12 Erik Quinson 11 Ian Ruginski 10 Matthew Chipkin 9 Riley McCabe 1 Barrington Archer 2 Alex Voynow 3 Jehan Shams 4 Andrew Massey 5 Roman Kopit 6 Marco Castro 7 Max Astruc 8 Jonathan Chu. Subs: Andrew Jdaydani for Elliot Baker, Nick Graham for Ian Ruginski.