On a perfect day for rugby in Greenville, North Carolina, the #4 nationally ranked East Carolina Pirates defeated #8 Wake Forest 30-25 in a South D2 league match. The victory marked ECU's 6th straight defeat of the Demon Deacons.
The match started with Wake Forest in full control and the Demon Deacons went up 5-0 off a try from senior Timo Kawira off a pick from the base of scrum inside the ECU 22. ECU narrowed the gap moments later with a penalty goal from fullback Robert Lee, but Wake's forwards answered with a nicely worked try from junior prop Ken Forte. ECU responded with a try from winger Drew Griffin in the corner and the difficult sideline conversion was slotted by Lee to even the score at 10 apiece. The Pirates' speedy backline continued to cause Wake problems and a linebreak at midfield resulted in a try between the posts and a 17-10 ECU advantage. Another Lee penalty goal moved the ECU lead to 20-10 and the Pirates seemed in full control. Shortly before the half, however, the momentum changed as ECU center Connor Duke was yellow-carded for a spear tackle that knocked Wake flanker Trenton Justice from the match with a concussion. Junior wing Perry Salvagne hit the penalty and the teams went into the break with ECU up 20-13.
The second half started with another ECU try as a Pirate flanker scooped up a ball that popped out of a sideline ruck near midfield and beat two Wake defenders to extend the ECU lead. Lee was again good on the conversion and the Pirates were up 27-13. Wake responded with a try from freshman flanker Brendan Shea and Salvagne's conversion made the score 27-20. Lee continued his excellent day with the boot slotting another penalty goal to put ECU up 30-20. With 15 minutes remaining Wake moved within a try as a nice backline movement put freshman wing Ben Cohen over in the corner. The remainder of the match saw Wake pressure ECU repeatedly, but strong Pirate defense kept the Demon Deacons from the tryzone. With seconds remaining Wake freshman winger Brandon Turner found some space near midfield and looked to be away for a game-tying score but lost the ball forward and ECU held on for the victory.
Wake Lineup vs. ECU
1. Matt Storck 2. Mike Duffy 3. Ken Forte 4. Brendan Shea 5. Ross Hilton 6. Hunter Lostan 7. Trent Justice (Christian Jewett @ 38) 8. Timo Kawira 9. Drew Legge 10. Tom Gibson 11. Ben Cohen (Brandon Turner @ 75) 12. Matt Gottbrecht 13. David Sage 14. Perry Salvagne 15. Critter Commins
In the Second Side match ECU came away victorious 26-5.
Wake Forest is next in action on Saturday in Winston-Salem against North Carolina State. NC State lost to Appalachian State 18-0 in Raleigh on Saturday in the both team's league opener.
The match started with Wake Forest in full control and the Demon Deacons went up 5-0 off a try from senior Timo Kawira off a pick from the base of scrum inside the ECU 22. ECU narrowed the gap moments later with a penalty goal from fullback Robert Lee, but Wake's forwards answered with a nicely worked try from junior prop Ken Forte. ECU responded with a try from winger Drew Griffin in the corner and the difficult sideline conversion was slotted by Lee to even the score at 10 apiece. The Pirates' speedy backline continued to cause Wake problems and a linebreak at midfield resulted in a try between the posts and a 17-10 ECU advantage. Another Lee penalty goal moved the ECU lead to 20-10 and the Pirates seemed in full control. Shortly before the half, however, the momentum changed as ECU center Connor Duke was yellow-carded for a spear tackle that knocked Wake flanker Trenton Justice from the match with a concussion. Junior wing Perry Salvagne hit the penalty and the teams went into the break with ECU up 20-13.
The second half started with another ECU try as a Pirate flanker scooped up a ball that popped out of a sideline ruck near midfield and beat two Wake defenders to extend the ECU lead. Lee was again good on the conversion and the Pirates were up 27-13. Wake responded with a try from freshman flanker Brendan Shea and Salvagne's conversion made the score 27-20. Lee continued his excellent day with the boot slotting another penalty goal to put ECU up 30-20. With 15 minutes remaining Wake moved within a try as a nice backline movement put freshman wing Ben Cohen over in the corner. The remainder of the match saw Wake pressure ECU repeatedly, but strong Pirate defense kept the Demon Deacons from the tryzone. With seconds remaining Wake freshman winger Brandon Turner found some space near midfield and looked to be away for a game-tying score but lost the ball forward and ECU held on for the victory.
Wake Lineup vs. ECU
1. Matt Storck 2. Mike Duffy 3. Ken Forte 4. Brendan Shea 5. Ross Hilton 6. Hunter Lostan 7. Trent Justice (Christian Jewett @ 38) 8. Timo Kawira 9. Drew Legge 10. Tom Gibson 11. Ben Cohen (Brandon Turner @ 75) 12. Matt Gottbrecht 13. David Sage 14. Perry Salvagne 15. Critter Commins
In the Second Side match ECU came away victorious 26-5.
Wake Forest is next in action on Saturday in Winston-Salem against North Carolina State. NC State lost to Appalachian State 18-0 in Raleigh on Saturday in the both team's league opener.
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