Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference

In a tale of two halves, West Virginia utilized a dominant first 40 minutes to secure its second-consecutive Keystone championship over Saint Joseph’s, 22-17, Saturday. Both teams entered the game undefeated, and it would be a test of two clubs that overpowered their opponents during the regular season. The Mountaineers scored all of their points in the first half, and the Hawks’ comeback fell short in the second.

With the victory, the Mountaineers will play the Empire Conference champion, Stony Brook University, in the ACRC Bowl Series in Charlotte, N.C. Nov. 22nd. Additionally, West Virginia earns an automatic bid into the USA Rugby DI-AA National Collegiate Playoffs next spring.

“The first half of rugby we played was by far the best rugby we have ever played since I’ve been coaching,” said West Virginia head coach Richard Glover. “It stunned me a little bit. Everything was going well for us. St. Joe’s were trying to spread it wide, but with the wind, which was very strong, they were struggling to get their passes to hand. For us, we were just as effective as drawing the man and giving the pass which helped us gain a lot ground. We scored some great tries, plays that came straight off the training park which was encouraging to see. The first half we executed, we were efficient, we were clinical. It was a spectacular half of rugby.”

In the first seven minutes, West Virginia eightman Ryan Blythe scored a try in the corner off a quick play from a powerful scrum. Mackenrodt missed the conversion and the Mountaineers took the early 5-0 lead.

Freshman wing Luke Ellis, who has exploded onto the Keystone scene in the last couple of games, broke through two Hawk tackles and added a try 10 minutes later in the corner. Ellis then rounded off an excellent phase of attack 5 minutes later when he finished with a 30m breakout set up by the WVU backline. The fourth try started from a lineout about 10 meters out, which the Mountaineers forward pack mauled into the try zone, where flanker Manny Debra touched it down. Fullback Chris Mackenrodt was one-for-four on conversions to extend the lead to 22-0 at the half.

St. Joe’s however, rallied at half time and made the necessary adjustments to not only get back into the game but be in a position to win it. With a strong wind against them, the Hawks did well at keeping the ball in hand and running from deep. After 20 minutes of stale mate, the Hawks’ first try came 60 minutes in when there was a two-on-one overload down the sideline, and lock Mike McGee was sent through to score under the posts. Fullback Tyler Gerber made the conversion, as flyhalf Jimmy Wolfer left the game with an injury.

St. Joe’s crawled closer when inside center Dan Deal took a quick-tap from 10 meters away for a try. The Hawks comeback was incomplete, as St. Joe’s scored only once again. The last try was a team try with good phases deep in West Virginia territory. With no time remaining, the ball started on one side and was brought back to the other, where outside center Joe Wolfer dummied to the wing and cut back inside for the try. The final whistle sounded, and the Mountaineers outlasted the Hawks for a dramatic 22-17 victory.

“The main thing with the second half was that our discipline was poor. All the penalties that went against us weren’t 50/50 calls or bad calls, rather they were spot on against WVU players trying to force the game and get the ball back.  It is tough when you defend for most of the second half and don’t have the ball in hand. St Joseph’s, full credit to them pushed us right till the end and almost took the victory,” said Glover.

“Our plan, with the wind behind us, was to kick deep in their half and force them to run from deep. To be fair to St. Joe’s, they held onto the ball well, they recycled well, they went through their phases and certainly in the last 15 minutes, they were looking like the sharper, fitter team. In all credit for us not playing the best rugby in the second half, the boys held on. Our defense just about held and we managed to close out the game,” Glover reported.

Mountaineer captain and scrumhalf Kris Wilson was awarded Man of the Match. “He was up against Jimmy Wolfer who is a very talented young SJU No.9 who always looks threatening. I think Kris dealt with him very well and put a lot of pressure on him at the back of the scrum. Kris Wilson is definitely one of our star players and it was great to see him step up today.”

“Our points didn’t come until the 20 minute mark of the second half. The last 20 minutes was all St. Joe’s,” Hawks head coach Dan Yarusso said. “We were really pressuring them and if we played with that intensity, we would have a better outcome. Credit to West Virginia, they had a really good plan, they played really well and deserved to win.”

One his club’s performance throughout the season, Yarusso said, “I think they guys did a tremendous job and a great effort for us. Obviously, that last game we didn’t get the result we wanted. I think collectively, we did really well. In the games during the season, we were really going at pace against teams and putting up the scores on them. It was unfortunate we didn’t get this one and we wish West Virginia all the best on moving forward.”

The final was a fitting end to two teams who have enjoyed consistent success over the past couple of seasons. A big thank you from both teams to all coaches, players, supporters, fans and alumni who have helped build their success.

By Evan Lappen
RugbyToday.com