jcollingsworth
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Ohio State Men’s Rugby: Looking Ahead
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes traveled north this past Saturday (09/19) to battle against the Bowling Green Falcons on their own College Park Rugby Field.
Both teams battled the harsh winds on this afternoon – which certainly account for only three of the twelve tries scored to be converted.
Bowling Green would score first at the 5 minute mark on the wing. 7-0.
Ohio State’s #8 Scott Frietag completed a series of good back line moves with a powering try. The conversion is missed – making it 7-5 at the 10 minute mark.
It would be the Falcons from that point on in the first half. They would lead 24-5.
The Buckeyes though returned from the half with fire in their belly – determined to make it a better game than it had been in the first half. Freitag introduced the 2nd half with his second try on a swift drive. Fullback Ronan Forrestal’s conversion brought the game into more respectability: 24-12.
The Buckeyes now had their eye on playing better and returning to the style they delivered in their trouncing of Pitt 57-7 the week before.
It just wouldn’t be.
BG’s flyback Nick Ross would touch down in the try zone and bring the score to 34-12.
Jo Jo Eramo received an offload from Ronan Forestall after a clever back line run. This would be the final score at the 76 minute mark.
That final score would be 44-22 with Bowling Green earning bragging rights in the State of Ohio with this victory from the two most productive and prosperous Rugby Programs in the State.
In this match the Buckeyes had their opportunities and beat themselves just as much as Bowling Green beat them. They failed to take advantage of the strong wind at their back in the 2nd half and allowed BG to have good field position on three separate occasion.
Not to knock, or discredit BG’s impressive win, but the Buckeyes had a grander plan. In this match they were able to start 4 new players after the misfortune of having to deal with 3 Senior players and the injuries they had sustained. They also intentionally held out the entire back row (Captain Santino Cua, Matt Stauder and Cory Harmon) so that they would not be presented with the horrific possibilities of injury….
….Big 10 play is coming up rapidly.
Understand that in Rugby, unlike Football, Basketball, even Baseball, a lot of non-conference play is, in sorts, preseason. Losing to their in-state rival (BG) may cement an ego-fueled claim until next year when it all happens again, but being prepared for the Big 10 is, in fact, essential for any advancement into a National Championship run.
The Buckeyes open BTU play this week against Illinois at 6 pm at Fred Beekman Park.
Look for an entirely different team this week. Expect much different results. This is a solid Buckeyes Rugby Team with an aim of carrying on the admirable tradition that is expected of anyone wearing the Scarlet and Gray.
The “real” season, my friends is about to begin. See you at Fred Beekman Park at 6 pm on Saturday September 26th. And be prepared to enjoy a Buckeyes win.
The post Ohio State Men’s Rugby: Looking Ahead appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes traveled north this past Saturday (09/19) to battle against the Bowling Green Falcons on their own College Park Rugby Field.
Both teams battled the harsh winds on this afternoon – which certainly account for only three of the twelve tries scored to be converted.
Bowling Green would score first at the 5 minute mark on the wing. 7-0.
Ohio State’s #8 Scott Frietag completed a series of good back line moves with a powering try. The conversion is missed – making it 7-5 at the 10 minute mark.
It would be the Falcons from that point on in the first half. They would lead 24-5.
The Buckeyes though returned from the half with fire in their belly – determined to make it a better game than it had been in the first half. Freitag introduced the 2nd half with his second try on a swift drive. Fullback Ronan Forrestal’s conversion brought the game into more respectability: 24-12.
The Buckeyes now had their eye on playing better and returning to the style they delivered in their trouncing of Pitt 57-7 the week before.
It just wouldn’t be.
BG’s flyback Nick Ross would touch down in the try zone and bring the score to 34-12.
Jo Jo Eramo received an offload from Ronan Forestall after a clever back line run. This would be the final score at the 76 minute mark.
That final score would be 44-22 with Bowling Green earning bragging rights in the State of Ohio with this victory from the two most productive and prosperous Rugby Programs in the State.
In this match the Buckeyes had their opportunities and beat themselves just as much as Bowling Green beat them. They failed to take advantage of the strong wind at their back in the 2nd half and allowed BG to have good field position on three separate occasion.
Not to knock, or discredit BG’s impressive win, but the Buckeyes had a grander plan. In this match they were able to start 4 new players after the misfortune of having to deal with 3 Senior players and the injuries they had sustained. They also intentionally held out the entire back row (Captain Santino Cua, Matt Stauder and Cory Harmon) so that they would not be presented with the horrific possibilities of injury….
….Big 10 play is coming up rapidly.
Understand that in Rugby, unlike Football, Basketball, even Baseball, a lot of non-conference play is, in sorts, preseason. Losing to their in-state rival (BG) may cement an ego-fueled claim until next year when it all happens again, but being prepared for the Big 10 is, in fact, essential for any advancement into a National Championship run.
The Buckeyes open BTU play this week against Illinois at 6 pm at Fred Beekman Park.
Look for an entirely different team this week. Expect much different results. This is a solid Buckeyes Rugby Team with an aim of carrying on the admirable tradition that is expected of anyone wearing the Scarlet and Gray.
The “real” season, my friends is about to begin. See you at Fred Beekman Park at 6 pm on Saturday September 26th. And be prepared to enjoy a Buckeyes win.
The post Ohio State Men’s Rugby: Looking Ahead appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...