Hamilton, Bermuda - The hospitality of the locals has been generous and welcoming. The Vassar Men's Rugby team arrived at L.F. Wade International Airport, Bermuda on Tuesday and the small squad of 11 players have had 3 practice sessions before taking the field in the Bermuda International 7s Tournament. The intensity of the first two games was a jolt to the system and the Brewers struggled on attack.

Vassar College 0 v 42 Upright Rugby

The opposition in game one for the Brewers was a team from Quebec, Canada. It comprised players from different institutions and basically was a select side team.

The weather was uncharacteristic for Bermuda with rain and a blustery wind. It played havoc as players lost their footing and slipped regularly, the ball was like a bar of wet soap and the wind caused the flight of the ball to swirl and sail all over the place.

Vassar conceded 2 tries in the first half and squandered a couple of half chances so at the half the Brewers trailed 14-0.

Credit is due to Upright for they pressured strongly forcing poor passes and knockons. And in that second half with the wind behind them they pinned Vassar back. Despite some very good defense the wall was breeched and the Quebec contingent ran out comfortable winners.

Team: 1 Miles Yum 2 Kaiden Tocher 3 Sawyer Bivins 9 TJ Usher 10 Kiran Mullen 12 Eli Schair-Rigoletti 14 McCarthy Barber.
Subs: Will Smith, Phil Knowlton, Finn Smith, Max Czekaj.

Vassar College 7 v 24 Bermuda II
Tries: TJ Usher (1).
Again the Brewers defended well throughout the match, particularly in their own 22. And again it was just 2 tries conceded in the first half. Tocher had stolen a lineout, the scrum had shunted Bermuda back, and Will Smith had shown good pace down the wing, so there were signs of success and at 12-0 Vassar felt that if they could get the next score it would turn the tide. 

However, Vassar was kicking to Bermuda to start the second period. The Bermuda 7 scored an excellent try moving the ball from touchline to touchline with some slick handling and eventually a player wriggled through.

Vassar kept battling and also moved the ball well in the tricky conditions. Kiran Mullen showed some good footwork and Eli Schair-Rigoletti linked well. Eventually, TJ Usher deservedly went over and although the result was decided it was a good try and performance from the Vassar team.

Team: 1 McCarthy Barber 2 Kaiden Tocher 3 Sawyer Bivins 9 TJ Usher 10 Kiran Mullen 12 Eli Schair-Rigoletti 14 Will Smith.
Subs: Miles Yum, Phil Knowlton, Finn Smith, Max Czekaj.

The squad will look to be improved on attack and maintain their good defensive sets.

Next: Saturday March 21, 2026 at Bermuda 7s 
12:40 am v Bermuda I
2:00 pm v Rowan University