POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - In what can best be described as a scrimmage with a host of novice players participating in their first game the host team, Vassar College, ran in nine tries and conceded one finishing 55-5 winners. It has to be emphasized that this was very much a learning experience rather than a full on intense competition however it was useful as a first stepping stone.

Vassar College Men 55 v 5 Bard College Men
Tries: Evan Roberts (1), Cole Landolt (3), Nate Cuson (2), Joe Nowacki (2) & Ankit Khosla (1).
Cons: Nate Cuson (5).

It was a blisteringly hot day and a good crowd was on hand to watch the Vassar men open their Fall 2019 season against local rivals Bard College. The undermanned visitors put up a spirited resistance but the result of this game was never in any doubt.

The plan for the Brewers was to get into their pattern of play when possession was secured and even more importantly to defend well and make solid tackles. That the team did show some good shape was encouraging but the test overall was not very stern.

Vassar had to commit men to the rucks and so more ball was pushed to the backs than might usually be the case. Halfbacks Roberts and Cuson linked well in the first half and when Norman Kuang replaced Roberts it remained effective. Rookie Cole Landolt showed that he has good hands and a little bit of pace as he rambled in for 3 tries on his rugby debut.

At number 8 Joe Nowacki also ran intelligently and was given a solid platform by his forward colleagues. So being able to win ball and then have the team get over the gain line it was likely to be a long day for the Bard Raptors.

Vassar's first try was courtesy of Evan Roberts as he alertly took a quick tap and darted over. Nowacki scored the second from a close scrum and he added a second in the second half.

Vassar was guilty of poor breakdown work as too often players were penalized for diving over, not staying on their feet or not rolling away. Perhaps they were looking for some respite from the sun and the bodies afforded shade but whatever the reason it was correctly penalized by RRSNY referee Brain Wolf.

On the left wing Vassar's Stephen Ochieng made a couple of excellent covering tackles and probably saved some blushes as Bard runners slipped through the Vassar defense. Rookie fullback Rowan Roshong also acquitted himself well tackling and running hard.

The six tries in the first half and two conversions gave the Brewers a 36-0 lead.

The second forty minutes was at a considerably slower pace as players struggled in the heat. There were water breaks and 3 tries from the home team meant a victory and plenty of smiles.

Kudos to the opposition for battling to the very conclusion with players tackling and rucking trying to claw their way back in to the game.

The Vassar forwards drove a lineout a good 15 plus meters and Ankit Khosla grounded the ball for a try. Cuson rounded out the tally with a sprint through a porous and tired Bard defense.

Team: 15 Rowan Roshong 14 Stephen Ochieng 13 Cole Landolt 12 Jeff Montoya 11 Reese Guo 10 Nate Cuson 9 Evan Roberts 1 Mike Cardenas 2 Levi Tuck 3 Ali Sadek 4 Logan Ragsdale 5 Ankit Khosla 6 Brain Cuautle Garcia 7 Kyle Trumble 8 Joe Nowacki.
Subs: Alex Duchac, Casey Draskovich, Chandler Shan, Tyler Harber, Liam Manion, Brian Santos, James Scarabino, Norman Kuang & Hudson Shou.

Injured: James Christensen.
Unavailable: Hector Contreras, Duvan Aaron Lopez, Carl Aller & Adonis Mateo.

Overall record: 1-0-0.

Next: Sunday, September 29, 2019 at SUNY-Oneonta, kick-off 1:00 pm