Match Report - Army vs Boston College

Two NERFU teams held a perfect record going into this weekend, yet only one would remain undefeated by the week's end. Army and Boston College both sported spotless records prior to their match up Saturday night at 1700. The Men's Army Rugby team hosted the match at Anderson Rugby Complex. Despite the discouraging weather forecast, Mother Nature held off for the most part and gave the two teams an adequate day for competition. This game would determine who would be the #1 seed going into the NERFU playoffs, thus both teams were sufficiently fired up about the match up. National rugby press had been hyping this game as Army's first true test of the season. Would the Army ruggers step up to the plate?

A Side: 73-12
The Army starting XV opened the game with a new level of play that showcased their high level of skill and intense desire to dominate the competition. Within the first 3 minutes, Army strung together 10 phases to score the first try of the game. This excellent display of multi-phase rugby set Army up to succeed as they continued to play at a very high level throughout the rest of the game. Open side flanker Jay Berger, class of '07, touched the first try down. The next try came off a beautifully executed box kick over the ruck by scrumhalf David Lodwick. His high kick down the sideline was fielded perfectly off the bounce by winger Robert Zargan was brought down on the 5 meter line. Army was quick to support Zargan as center Robert Small picked the ball and rumbled into the try zone to score. All-American Flyhalf Andrew Locke scored a try soon there after as he used his excellent ball fake and his shifty running style to break through the BC defensive line and touch it down. The next try came from a long run by All-American fullback Brendan McCarthy who slashed across the field and then offloaded to 8-Man Nate Peper who supported the long run perfectly. Small and McCarthy finished out the try scoring in the first half. The second half proved to be much of the same as Peper, McCarthy, Zargan, Berger, and Hail all put the ball down in the try zone.

Lock Clint Hail's try was especially memorable as it was his first A side try. A well deserved try for the big lock. McCarthy and Zargan combined to put 9 out of 11 conversion through the uprights. The two kickers, McCarthy left footed and Zargan right footed, have developed an extremely effective system where each man kicks from his strong side.

By the game's final whistle, the Men's Army Rugby team felt extremely confident that we had sufficiently made a statement to the rest of the nation that we are here and ready to play top-level rugby. Such a dominant victory over a worthy opponent speaks volumes for the quality of rugby that Army is playing. Thanks again to all those that came out and supported us on Saturday. Next week, the A side either plays Fordham or the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

A Side Starting XV:
1 Sam Ketcham
2 Erik Waage
3 Chris Wallgren
4 John Breneman
5 Clint Hail
6 JP Flach
7 Jay Berger
8 Nate Peper
9 David Lodwick
10 Andrew Locke
11 Chris Grevious
12 Chris Bahr
13 Robert Smalls
14 Robert Zargan
15 Brendan McCarthy

Name:	Tries:	Conversions:	Penalty Kicks:	Total Points:
Andrew Locke	1			5
Jay Berger	2			10
Clint Hail	1			5
Robert Zargan	1	2		9
Brendan McCarthy	2	7		24
Nate Peper	2			10
Robert Small	2			10
		Total:		73