Annandale-on-Hudson, NY - Today's Tri-State Conference matchup between Vassar College and Bard College was part of a trifecta of games that included Union College. Both Bard and Union are building their programs and on account of low numbers the games were truncated. None the less the Brewers first faced Bard and in a surprisingly physical and hard hitting contest prevailed 22-0. Later against Union College the Brewers found their groove and ran in seven tries to win 41-7.

Vassar College Men 22 v 0 Bard College Men
Tries: Kaiden Tocher (1), Matheo Dwyer (2)
Cons: Ben Remy (1).

Games that include a good number of rookies tend to be both awkward and difficult. The plan is to ensure control and be precise but first one has to match the ferocity and intensity of the opposition as they fly around at 100 miles per hour. More often than not the newcomers inadvertently stray offside, play the ball on the ground in rucks, and hit very hard as the excitement of playing is such a rush!

Vassar was ready for the physicality and did a good job tackling their opponents. The rucks were pretty messy but the Brewers had an edge in this area and it led to some penalties. The first try was straight forward as Number 8 Kaiden Tocher sprinted over from about 30 yards out but Ben Remy could not convert the score. The 5-0 lead became 10-0 after Vassar scrumhalf Matheo Dwyer alertly slipped over and moments later the captain did it again and Vassar was up 15-0. Bard responded with some bruising runs but maintaining continuity was an issue for them throughout.

Vassar was guilty of pushing the ball wide too early and as one says in coachspeak, "The team had not earned the right to go wide." Novice flyhalf Ted Twit was just too eager to throw the ball wide in the hope of space being there, rather than seeing the space and knowing there was a real opportunity. It is early days for the lad and he does have a decent long pass so his time will come.

The Brewers were without TJ Usher on account of injury but Ben Remy came into the 12 slot and put in a good shift. The final Vassar try was scored by who runs powerfully and with a smile on his face. He beat a couple of defenders and sealed the win for Vassar as Remy slotted the conversion. Final score 22-0.

Team: 15 Owen McManus 13 Ezra Potts 12 Ben Remy 11 Zhongjia Hou 10 Ted Twit 9 Matheo Dwyer 1 Luca Pereira Frears 2 Jack Gibberd 3 Caleb DiBartolo 4 Gene Waddy 5 Max Czekaj 6 Samia Jaman 7 Mariano Decarvalho 8 Kaiden Tocher.

Vassar College Men 41 v 7 Union College Men
Tries: Owen McManus (1), Samia Jaman (2), Zhongjia Hou (1), Jack Gibberd (2), Kaiden Tocher (1).
Cons: (3).

Much like Bard College the Union team was composed of rookies and also like Bard the tackling and commitment was impressive. The Brewers were without prop forward Dimitrios Tzepos but the team showed some degree of depth and the pack performed admirably under the hot sun. This match was full of incident and in addition to the seven tries scored Vassar played a man down when Ted Twit was yellow carded for a high tackle. In fact the culprit was Kaiden Tocher but Ted took one for the team!

Owen McManus who had been clobbered in the first half when he bravely tidied up a wayward pass was able to celebrate with a try in the corner after some good Vassar continuity. However, his joy was short lived as he again took a heavy hit and had to leave the field. Samia Jaman is another player who took a few body slams but he also opened his own scoring account with two tries and showed real pace and guile.

The third try will forever be known as the "Try of Redemption" as a kick for touch was falling short and winger Zhongjia Hou caught it, surprising himself it seemed, and he ran over for a try. For the record, seven days ago Hou had a ball land in his hands with the goal line begging in front of him, only for the ball to be knocked on.

Jack Gibberd finally got the lineout drives going and as hooker he was the main beneficiary to the extent of two tries.

The other highlights of this contest saw kick too long conversions and his tally on the whole day was 11 points. He struck the ball well and may have earned himself the job until Mark Gislason returns.

Team: 15 Owen McManus 13 Ezra Potts 12 Ben Remy 11 Zhongjia Hou 10 Ted Twit 9 Matheo Dwyer 1 Luca Pereira Frears 2 Jack Gibberd 3 Caleb DiBartolo 4 Gene Waddy 5 Max Czekaj 6 Samia Jaman 7 Mariano Decarvalho 8 Kaiden Tocher.
Subs: Rajveer Singh for Caleb DiBartolo, Ken Kabeya Ki'tsai Zangpo for Max Czekaj, Sriram Soundarapandian for Owen McManus.

Record: 5-0-0

Next: Saturday September 28, 2024 at SUNY-Oneonta KO 2:30 pm