Vassar College Men
Poughkeepsie, NY
Sunday November 5th, 2017
Brewers Defeat Maritime to take Tri-State NSCRO title
These two teams had met back on
September 17th in the Bronx and Vassar had been defeated 20-19. However, both teams finished the regular season 6-1 and it was fitting that they should meet in this Tri-State Rugby Conference National Small College Division final. Both teams advance to the Northeast Region playoffs but this game saw Vassar emerge as division winners and with that the lads earned a home tie next weekend. The opponent will be Paul Smith College.
Sunday November 5th, 2017
Vassar College Men 34 v 19 SUNY-Maritime College Men
Tries: Dale Lord (1), Evan Roberts (1), Rob Eder (1), Stephen Kpundeh (1), George Sheppard (1), & Louie Brown (1).
Cons: Stephen Kpundeh (2).
The Brewers knew what they had to do to be successful and the main focus was on keeping possession. Monopolize the ball and limit the number of attacks from the opposition. In addition, the defense had to be markedly better than back in September when under a sunny sky and high temperatures the Brewers had wilted after leading 14-0 and eventually lost by a single point 20-19.
SUNY-Maritime struggled again as they had in September with the close fringe picking of the Vassar forwards. But the visitors looked dangerous if they obtained turnover ball. The outside backs were athletic and fast as evidenced by their 3 tries in the match.
Vassar took the lead and went 7-0 up then 12-0 before stretching it to 17-5 at the half. The issue for Maritime was lack of possession as the Vassar forwards held a significant advantage in the set piece winning scrums and limiting the lineout ball for the Bronx based team.
Vassar's
Dale Lord scored the first try and there are few teams that can stop the youngster from close range. He also had a wonderful day in the scrum getting the better of his opponent. In fact, when the Maritime prop was asked by the touch judge to push and move Lord back his response was, "You expect me to move him?"
Vassar kept things tight and was rewarded with another forward try when flanker
Evan Roberts went over and at 12-0 Vassar seemed to be gaining control. But just then Maritime came roaring back and before one knew it they had scored to make it 5-0. The lead up to this try involved a penalty when
Ryan Chan ran into the back of one of his own team, the lineout that followed and despite a goal line stand that momentarily repelled the attack Maritime went over.
Vassar worked upfield and when Louie Brown stole a put-in against the head Number 8
Rob Eder picked and plowed his way to the goal line and a 17-5 Vassar lead. It stayed that way up to half time.
A good crowd was on hand a a number of Vassar Rugby Alumnae/i were present. The crowd really got behind the Brewers and when
Stephen Kpundeh went flying in for a score there was a sense that this was Vassar's day. The early season loss was to be insignificant and a home game in the next playoff round a real probability. Kpundeh was able to dart through the large gap because up until this point inside center
Joe Simon had been the focus of the attack. The Vassar speedster may miss next weekend as he pulled a hamstring later in the game but he did have a much improved game this weekend.
But Maritime was not done and they managed to get some ball from turnovers and penalties and they mounted a spirited comeback. 24-5 became 24-12 and there was a glimmer of hope for them. But Vassar co-captain
George Sheppard put a damper on those hopes when he went over and made it 29-12 with about 10 minutes remaining.
Vassar hooker Louie Brown scored and 34-12 was a clincher. Credit Maritime as they scored a late try to make it 34-19 and with it some momentum going into their playoff game against Alfred University next weekend.
It is playoff time and that means win or go home. Vassar must keep playing strong defense and if they do that then they will be in the game for sure.
Team: 15 Nate Cuson 14 Josh Espada 13 Stephen Kpundeh 12 Joe Simon 11 Ryan Chan 10 Nick Olkovsky 9 Gary Garcia 1 Mike Cardenas 2 Louie Brown 3 Dale Lord 4 George Sheppard 5 Nick Crooks 6 Kaden Wood 7 Evan Roberts 8 Rob Eder. Subs: Theo Lewis-Lawrence for Ryan Chan & Paul Rouhier for Joe Simon.
Overall record: 8-1-0
Next weekend: Day and time to be announced versus Paul Smith College at Vassar College Farm.
