Match Report - Norwich vs UConn

On Parent/Family Weekend the Norwich Ruggers took to the pitch in front an exuberant crowd. Within minutes Norwich scores off U-Conn’s penalty with a back movement that is finished by senior Milton Rehbein, who scores the try left of the posts. The conversion is good. Norwich 7, U-Conn 0.

It doesn’t take long for U-Conn to answer with a try of their own as a result of some fine forward play. The conversion is good and the score is locked at seven-a-piece.

Norwich's second try is scored by senior fly-half Randy Bielski off a penalty by U-Conn. At the twenty-five minute mark Norwich leads 12-7. At the thirty-eighth minute U-Conn is penalized for coming in from the side and Norwich goes for points. Todd Howe makes the penalty kick and the half ends Norwich 15 - U-Conn 7.

In the second half, Norwich has the wind at their backs, and uses it to their advantage, keeping the pressure in U-Conn’s end.

Another U-Conn penalty leads to another three points for the Wick off the boot of Todd Howe. Norwich 18 - U-Conn 7. At the base of a five-meter scrum, the next try of the day for Norwich is scored by senior flanker Adam Terrizzi. Norwich 23 - U-Conn 7.

Shortly after the ensuing kick-off, U-Conn’s flyhalf scampers in for the try between the posts, a result of poor tackling by the Wick. Norwich 23 - U-Conn 14.

Norwich answers by scoring a spectacular try of their own. At the second ruck following the kick-off, scrum-half Todd Howe poaches the ball away, breaks the ruck-line, pop-kicks ahead, takes off full speed in pursuit of the ball, catches it on the bounce, and puts it down in the back of the in-goal with a defender hanging on his back. (See photos below). Sixty-five minutes played, Norwich 28 - U-Conn 14.

The next Norwich try is scored by Randy Bielski who alertly picks up a ball at the base of a five meter scrum and cuts into the corner for the try. Norwich is now up 33-14.

The last try of the day is scored by Norwich’s forwards. At the thirty-six minute mark senior second row team captain Dave Meaney steals a U-Conn lineout ten meters out. Norwich’s pack seizes the moment and drives the maul to the in-goal and junior second row Miley Massed places the ball down. Bielski boots the conversion through to end the scoring. Final score: Norwich 40-U-Conn 14.

The win puts Norwich in the play-off hunt with West Point, Boston College, and Harvard. The Wick will be away this Saturday at Boston College.