Rugby Takes First at New Englands

Author: Angus Birchall

This weekend the Middlebury men's rugby club took its 5-0 record into the New England Championship tournament at Babson college. On Saturday, the Midd Ruggers faced driving sleet and rain, and nearly freezing temperatures in their match against a formidable Coast Guard Academy team. For 80 minutes, the squad demonstrated the capabilities that everyone knows they have — tackling, rucking, mauling and running themselves to near exhaustion. With the inclement weather inhibiting their usually fluid game, Middlebury was forced to play down to the Coast Guard game, but showed that even in the most adverse of circumstances, passion, heart and determination can lead to victory.
On numerous occasions, Middlebury ruggers were faced with an onslaught of Coast Guard crash-balls, but stood their own defensively and turned their opponents away from as many as four ominous goal line pushes.
Tries were scored by Angus Birchall '03.5, and penalty conversions by Raiden Tsuboi '03.5 to bring the final score of 13-8. Great games were also had by Jody Kramer '03, Ben Herter '03, Matt Dragunat '03 and Tim Tutsch '04. But individual accolades are mere side notes to the exceptional team play presented by the entire Middlebury squadron. On Saturday, the team demonstrated that rugby is a game that is played by 15 players, and no less.
This group mentality carried the Midd ruggers into Sunday's game against Babson with visions of another New England championship appearing faintly on the horizon. Beautiful weather and great fan support from parents and some Boston area alums allowed for Middlebury to really show what it was made of.
With excellent ball control in the forwards, and amazing running in the backs, the ruggers ran all over their opponents, silencing the crowded Babson sideline. Backs such as Epeli Rokotuiveikau '04, Kramer, Ngetha Waithaka '04, Doug Haber '04, and tight forwards Spencer Godrey '02.5, Dave Wisner 04 and J.P. Aldi '05 contributed outstanding individual efforts to the team's 39-3 trouncing.
The team continues its drive towards the Northeastern Championships this Saturday at home against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.