2005 Ohio State Rugby

[RugbyBuck]

No shame in losing to Cal. Of course, tOSU will be better for having played that tournament and spending the week training out there when you get back to the midwest.

Ruck over, Bucks.

[wadc45]

We have learned a lot the last week...no doubt it will help us come time for the Sweet 16.

On Wednesday we play St. Mary's...here is an article about their past weekend.

St. Mary's Takes Pat Vincent Cup

By Alex Goff

March 22, 2005 – Four teams converged on Moraga, Calif. over the weekend for the Pat Vincent Cup, the annual invitational tournament named after the former All Black and St. Mary's head coach.

And the hosts won it all with an impressive defensive display on the second day.

On Saturday, #15 Washington faced #20 Cal Poly and it was the Northwest side that took control, using their back row combination of Eric Schaar, Casey Nelson, and Rob Evans to cut through the Cal Poly defense.

Center Wes HansonSmith had a good day, as would be expected, as did Cal Poly's No. 8, John Koller. Both are All Americans and should challenge for that honor again.

The teams changed sides with the score close, but with the wind at their backs the UW Huskies unloaded and won 42-17.

St. Mary's (#10) risked a little in resting some starters as they faced Loyola-Marymount, and it was the visitors who took a 12-10 lead and looked the stronger at the breakdown. With the wind at their backs St. Mary's came back to win it 20-12, but it was certainly a scare.

That set up a consolation game of Cal Poly v. Loyola-Marymount and a final of St. Mary's v. Washington.

Koller was dominant as he helped his side weather some early adversity to win going away 63-19.

In the championship game, the two sides battled to the end. UW carried a try and two penalty goals into the break to lead 11-10, but St. Mary's held firm the rest of the way, and scored two tries to win 22-11.

In all, the GoffonRugby rankings held out, but it's worth noting that Washington looks much improved from last season, while St. Mary's close game against Loyola-Marymount can certainly be chalked up to their trying to use their depth.

St. Mary's looks poised to win a seed to nationals, while UW may well be in the wrong territory for that to happen, despite their impressive play.

[wadc45]

vs.

#4 Ohio State vs. #10 St. Mary's (CA)

This game turned out to be more of a scrimmage than anything else. It was a horible weather week in California. It rained EVERY DAY since we got there. Yesterday's game was cancelled, then moved, then moved back to St. Mary's to be played. But only one game was to be played and the B team hadn't got to play yet on this trip.

So we agreed to one 40 min half played by the A's, followed by two 30 min halves for the B's.

The A half was 17-12 St.Mary's.
The 1st B half was 10-0 OSU
The 2nd B half was 10-5 OSU
Final: 37-17 OSU

The field was soaked, but held up OK. And the St. Marys' players & coaches were great hosts. The trip was a great experience as our players prepare for the weeks ahead, including the trip to Colorado Springs in April for the Sweet 16.

Seems like the recruiting news was still coming through damn well while I was gone. Just an early note, but our next game is a biggie and it's at home.


vs.

April 2nd at Beekman Park
Ohio State vs. Michigan
the Division 1 Midwest Champs vs. the Division 2 Midwest Champs

[wadc45]

We held our #4 ranking for another week. We are now about 8 practices and 2 games away from leaving for Colorado Springs and the Sweet 16. Anyone interested in seeing some solid rugby involving two teams that genuinely don't like each other, feel free to stop by Beekman park on Saturday to see OSU play Michigan. I will post the time once I have confirmed it later this week.

[wadc45]

Pictures from the Cal trip...