Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wake Advances to South Final
In a game that was exciting beyond description, Wake Forest defeated Georgia Tech 13-8 in triple overtime, as freshman prop Matt Storck scored a try in the corner to end the sudden death extra period and catapault Wake Forest into the final. Wake will face familiar foe East Carolina, who defeated South Florida 38-33 in the other semi final.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Wake to Face Georgia Tech
Wake Forest will face Georgia Tech at 10:30AM on Saturday, March 29 in the first semifinal of the USA Rugby South Division II collegiate playoffs. East Carolina will face South Florida in the second semifinal.
Wake and Tech last played in October, with Wake running out to an easy victory over the visiting Yellow Jackets, who travelled to Wake with a depleted side. The Georgia Tech side that Wake will see in Tuscaloosa will be a far different, and vastly superior team to the one that Wake defeated in the fall.
Wake and Tech last played in October, with Wake running out to an easy victory over the visiting Yellow Jackets, who travelled to Wake with a depleted side. The Georgia Tech side that Wake will see in Tuscaloosa will be a far different, and vastly superior team to the one that Wake defeated in the fall.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wake Advances to Final Four with Thrilling Victory
In its first season in Division II, Wake Forest men's rugby has advanced to the USA Rugby South Division II Final Four with a 20-14 victory over Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.
Like Wake Forest, this was also MTSU's first year in Division II. However, whereas Wake Forest moved up to Division II from Division III, MTSU was in Division II after having requested to be moved down after many years as a Division I powerhouse, including reaching the national Division I Sweet Sixteen as recently as 2002. MTSU had struggled over the last two years in Division I, but ran through their conference unbeaten this spring, and were ranked #16 in the country in Division II heading into the match.
The day began with Wake receiving the kickoff and subsequently dominating possession and territory for the first 20 minutes of the match. Twice within that period Wake passed up kickable penalties inside MTSU's 22, opting instead to run penalty plays in the hope of jumping out to a big lead early. But MTSU's defense was strong and despite having by far the run of play, Wake failed to move the scoredboard until midway through the stanza when senior wing David Hobson touched down in the corner after Wake's backline took advantage of an overload. Senior flyhalf Tyler Eure nailed the touchline conversion and Wake had a 7-0 lead and looked in complete control of the match. However, on the ensuing restart, Wake got a rude lesson on how quickly mistakes are punished at this level. After Wake's forwards failed to cleanly field the restart, MTSU won possession and put together a string of a half dozen clean phases, culminating in a try in the corner. MTSU's kicker matched Eure by slotting the difficult conversion and the match was suddenly tied at 7-7. Wake remained calm, and after junior scrumhalf Drew Legge made a break off the base of a ruck near midfield and was hit late after chipping over the MTSU fullback, Eure converted an easy penalty and Wake lead 10-7. As halftime neared, MTSU was awarded a scrum near midfield. After cleanly winning the scrum, the MTSU #8, an All-South player, picked and scored a fantastic individual try. The try was converted and MTSU lead 14-10 when the whitsle blew signaling the main break.
The second half was mainly a stalemate, as neither team made many forays inside their opponent's 22, and handling errors and penalties plagued both sides. At the 60 minute mark Eure brought the score to within 1, hitting a penalty goal from about 40 meters. MTSU's #8 continued to give fits to the Wake defenders, but was unable to duplicate his first half heroics. As the clock ticked towards 80 minutes and Wake still trailing by 1, Eure attempted a shot at goal from midfield. His aim was true, but the kick fell just short and with fewer than 5 minutes remaining, Wake was looking at the end of its season. MTSU had possession well inside Wake's half of the field and looked to be content to grind down the clock. Wake managed to turn over possession, however, and a break in the centers moved Wake close to midfield. Off the ensuing ruck, the ball was spun wide to sophomore lock Chrsitian Jewett, who fed high school teammate and freshman prop Matt Storck on the outside. Storck drew two defenders and sent wing Hobson into space. Hobson beat his opposite number and as a shocked MTSU crowd looked on, he raced 50 meters into the tryzone to give Wake the lead. Eure converted the try to put the score at 20-14 with only extra time remaining. MTSU frantically pressed off the restart and managed to turn the ball over, but couldn't muster any offense and after Wake regained possession at a breakdown and with the referee signaling full time, Eure booted the ball into touch, ending the match and sending Wake to the South Final Four.
While every Wake Forest player contributed to this historic win, the player of the game for Wake was undoubtedly sophomore outside center David Sage. Thought to be unavailable for the match due to a serious foot injury, Sage declared himself fit to play just hours before kickoff and gutted it out for the full 80 minutes, making a number of key tackles and solidifying the Wake backline.
Wake now moves on the the Final Four next weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Matchups are to be announced, but Wake will be facing either Georgia Tech, who defeated Eckerd College 17-5 in their quarterfinal match, or South Florida, who defeated Auburn University 49-0. The final four is rounded out by Wake's league foe East Carolina, who absolutely obliterated Western Kentucky 80-3 in the other quarterfinal. East Carolina, ranked #20 before the quarterfinals, sould skyrocket in the national rankings after their massive win and are now clearly the favorite heading into the weekend.
Like Wake Forest, this was also MTSU's first year in Division II. However, whereas Wake Forest moved up to Division II from Division III, MTSU was in Division II after having requested to be moved down after many years as a Division I powerhouse, including reaching the national Division I Sweet Sixteen as recently as 2002. MTSU had struggled over the last two years in Division I, but ran through their conference unbeaten this spring, and were ranked #16 in the country in Division II heading into the match.
The day began with Wake receiving the kickoff and subsequently dominating possession and territory for the first 20 minutes of the match. Twice within that period Wake passed up kickable penalties inside MTSU's 22, opting instead to run penalty plays in the hope of jumping out to a big lead early. But MTSU's defense was strong and despite having by far the run of play, Wake failed to move the scoredboard until midway through the stanza when senior wing David Hobson touched down in the corner after Wake's backline took advantage of an overload. Senior flyhalf Tyler Eure nailed the touchline conversion and Wake had a 7-0 lead and looked in complete control of the match. However, on the ensuing restart, Wake got a rude lesson on how quickly mistakes are punished at this level. After Wake's forwards failed to cleanly field the restart, MTSU won possession and put together a string of a half dozen clean phases, culminating in a try in the corner. MTSU's kicker matched Eure by slotting the difficult conversion and the match was suddenly tied at 7-7. Wake remained calm, and after junior scrumhalf Drew Legge made a break off the base of a ruck near midfield and was hit late after chipping over the MTSU fullback, Eure converted an easy penalty and Wake lead 10-7. As halftime neared, MTSU was awarded a scrum near midfield. After cleanly winning the scrum, the MTSU #8, an All-South player, picked and scored a fantastic individual try. The try was converted and MTSU lead 14-10 when the whitsle blew signaling the main break.
The second half was mainly a stalemate, as neither team made many forays inside their opponent's 22, and handling errors and penalties plagued both sides. At the 60 minute mark Eure brought the score to within 1, hitting a penalty goal from about 40 meters. MTSU's #8 continued to give fits to the Wake defenders, but was unable to duplicate his first half heroics. As the clock ticked towards 80 minutes and Wake still trailing by 1, Eure attempted a shot at goal from midfield. His aim was true, but the kick fell just short and with fewer than 5 minutes remaining, Wake was looking at the end of its season. MTSU had possession well inside Wake's half of the field and looked to be content to grind down the clock. Wake managed to turn over possession, however, and a break in the centers moved Wake close to midfield. Off the ensuing ruck, the ball was spun wide to sophomore lock Chrsitian Jewett, who fed high school teammate and freshman prop Matt Storck on the outside. Storck drew two defenders and sent wing Hobson into space. Hobson beat his opposite number and as a shocked MTSU crowd looked on, he raced 50 meters into the tryzone to give Wake the lead. Eure converted the try to put the score at 20-14 with only extra time remaining. MTSU frantically pressed off the restart and managed to turn the ball over, but couldn't muster any offense and after Wake regained possession at a breakdown and with the referee signaling full time, Eure booted the ball into touch, ending the match and sending Wake to the South Final Four.
While every Wake Forest player contributed to this historic win, the player of the game for Wake was undoubtedly sophomore outside center David Sage. Thought to be unavailable for the match due to a serious foot injury, Sage declared himself fit to play just hours before kickoff and gutted it out for the full 80 minutes, making a number of key tackles and solidifying the Wake backline.
Wake now moves on the the Final Four next weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Matchups are to be announced, but Wake will be facing either Georgia Tech, who defeated Eckerd College 17-5 in their quarterfinal match, or South Florida, who defeated Auburn University 49-0. The final four is rounded out by Wake's league foe East Carolina, who absolutely obliterated Western Kentucky 80-3 in the other quarterfinal. East Carolina, ranked #20 before the quarterfinals, sould skyrocket in the national rankings after their massive win and are now clearly the favorite heading into the weekend.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Former Wake Rugger Finds Success in Coaching
Brad Luck, Wake Forest Rugby Class of '03, has continued his rugby career post-Wake Forest as a coach at his alma mater, Essex High School in Essex Junction, Vermont. After a standout career at Wake, where he lead the team to an undefeated league season and berth in the USA Rugby South Division III Final Four in his senior year, Luck returned home to Vermont. There he traded in his boots for a whistle and clipboard, becoming an assistant coach for the Essex High School team where he began his rugby career as a junior in high school.
After two years as an assistant, Luck took the reins as the head coach of the program in 2006 and found immediate success. Under his direction, the Essex team won the inaugural Vermont Rugby State Championship in 2006, and repeated as State Champions in 2007.
Essex is currently one of eight boys rugby teams in the state of Vermont. They travel throughout Vermont and New England and over the Canadian border to find opponents. Next week the team will begin its 11th season of competition, defending its back to back state titles with 45 players on the roster (which includes only 14 returning players). The team will begin with two weeks of indoor practice, hoping that the snow will be melted and ground thawed by the end of the month.
*Brad Luck is just one of many former Wake Forest ruggers who have continued their rugby careers as players, coaches, and administrators. If you are one of these ruggers, we would like to profile you on our blog. Please email Director of Men's Rugby Patrick Kane at pmkane78@aol.com so that we can get your information.
After two years as an assistant, Luck took the reins as the head coach of the program in 2006 and found immediate success. Under his direction, the Essex team won the inaugural Vermont Rugby State Championship in 2006, and repeated as State Champions in 2007.
Essex is currently one of eight boys rugby teams in the state of Vermont. They travel throughout Vermont and New England and over the Canadian border to find opponents. Next week the team will begin its 11th season of competition, defending its back to back state titles with 45 players on the roster (which includes only 14 returning players). The team will begin with two weeks of indoor practice, hoping that the snow will be melted and ground thawed by the end of the month.
*Brad Luck is just one of many former Wake Forest ruggers who have continued their rugby careers as players, coaches, and administrators. If you are one of these ruggers, we would like to profile you on our blog. Please email Director of Men's Rugby Patrick Kane at pmkane78@aol.com so that we can get your information.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Wake to Face Middle Tennessee State in Quarterfinals
Wake Forest will travel to Murfreesboro, TN on March 22 to face off against the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State University in a USA Rugby South Division II Quarterfinal Match. MTSU is currently ranked #16 in Division II by erugbynews.com and as recently as last year were a Division I team.
The other USARS Quarterfinal matchups are:
Western Kentucky University vs. #18 East Carolina University
Florida Atlantic University vs. Georgia Tech
Auburn University vs. #22 University of South Florida
The other USARS Quarterfinal matchups are:
Western Kentucky University vs. #18 East Carolina University
Florida Atlantic University vs. Georgia Tech
Auburn University vs. #22 University of South Florida
Monday, March 3, 2008
Unionville Takes Showcase Final, Derwood Wins Consolation
Unionville High won the inaugural Wake Forest High School Rugby Showcase on Sunday, defeating East Mecklenburg High 31-0. The match was actually much closer than the scoreline would indicate, as East Meck played hard, but saw a number of scoring chances go lacking. Unionville, on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities, scoring a number of long range tries including an impressive ninety meter effort from flyhalf Joe Baker and a fifty meter strike from speedy winger Steven Taunk.
Earlier in the day, the Derwood Stags won third place over Gilbert, 32-5. Derwood held a slim 7-5 advantage at the break after an evenly matched first half. But Gilbert, who played a South Carolina league match on Friday night, showed the effects of a third game in the span of 36 hours and surrendered 25 second half points to the fresher Derwood side. Derwood was paced by a fantastic game from its fullback, who scored a highlight reel try after fielding a kick near midfield.
Earlier in the day, the Derwood Stags won third place over Gilbert, 32-5. Derwood held a slim 7-5 advantage at the break after an evenly matched first half. But Gilbert, who played a South Carolina league match on Friday night, showed the effects of a third game in the span of 36 hours and surrendered 25 second half points to the fresher Derwood side. Derwood was paced by a fantastic game from its fullback, who scored a highlight reel try after fielding a kick near midfield.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Unionville to Face East Meck in Showcase Final; Wake Beats Richmond
In the First Annual Wake Forest High School Rugby Showcase, Unionville High beat the Derwood Stags 21-0 and East Mecklenburg High beat Gilbert High 22-12 to set up a North-South showdown for the inaurgural title on Sunday morning at 11:30am. Derwood will face Gilbert at 10am in the third place match.
After the high scool matches, on Senior Day, the Wake rugby team bested University of Richmond 48-0. Wake Forest was paced by a brace from senior winger David Hobson, and singles from juniors Timo Kawira and Critter Commins, as well as touchdowns from sophmore flanker Trenton Justice and freshmen scrumhalf Dante Merlino. Senior flyhalf Tyler Eure notched three penalties, a dropped goal, and three conversions to round out the scoring.
After the high scool matches, on Senior Day, the Wake rugby team bested University of Richmond 48-0. Wake Forest was paced by a brace from senior winger David Hobson, and singles from juniors Timo Kawira and Critter Commins, as well as touchdowns from sophmore flanker Trenton Justice and freshmen scrumhalf Dante Merlino. Senior flyhalf Tyler Eure notched three penalties, a dropped goal, and three conversions to round out the scoring.
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