|
|
| |
Towson Outlasts Salisbury to
Take the Potomac Conference
|
|
Towson's seniors lead the way on Saturday,
leading by example. |
Last year in the Potomac Rugby Conference championship, Salisbury scored with 3 minutes left in the match to take a 2 point lead going into the final minutes of regulation. In a fluke play, Salisbury attempted to kick the ball deep into the Towson end of the field, but mistakenly kicked directly into one of its own players, thus giving Towson a penalty just outside Salisbury's 22 meter line. Towson opted to keep the ball in play and run it directly at the Salisbury defense with no time left on the clock. Towson recycled the ball through a number of phases, but Salisbury's defense forced a knock-on with no time on the clock and they went on to win the 2014 championship.
This year's match was another great Salisbury vs. Towson contest and due to the rain and poor field conditions; we knew it was going to be another low scoring match. Our performance in the conference semi-final against Georgetown University the week before was one of the worst performances this season, but good enough to get us a win 38-22. We refocused this week and spent 2 hours with the team watching film from our first match Wednesday night. Practice on Thursday was one of the best sessions we've had this season, and going into the match on Saturday, we knew if we kept our mistakes to a minimum we would be victorious. We had 26 penalties in the Georgetown match and insisted the boys maintain their composure and keep the whistle out of the referee's mouth as much as possible.
|
|
FH Vince Francescangeli (Doylestown) and SH/Captain Eric
Sweeney (Mt. St. Joe) were flawless on the day |
This match was as much of a game of chess as it was a rugby contest. Both teams combined to kick the ball 38 times during the match and set pieces were dead even. Lose play was physical on both sides of the ball and each team played exceptional defense. The difference in the match came down to penalties and Towson recorded a season low 5 penalties, while Salisbury doubled that number. Towson struck early when flanker Anthony Bria took an offload from wing Greg Dribelbis (Mt. St. Joe) and dove over the try line just inside the flag. Eric Sweeney slotted the conversion from an almost impossible angle and Towson went up 7-0 at the 5 minute mark. The rain continued to fall and the kicking game started, each team waiting patiently for a miscue by their opponent. Finally at the 19 minute mark Salisbury was called for not releasing right in front of the posts, and Sweeney stepped in to successfully kick for points. Towson went up 10-0 and seemed to have the momentum early. Salisbury faltered again at the 32 minute mark, getting called for entering a ruck from the side. Again, Sweeney stepped in and successfully kicked for points, building Towson's lead to 13-0, which would stand until half time. The Towson forwards mounted a stellar effort just before the half keeping the lads from the eastern shore from crossing the try line multiple times. This effort was a HUGE boost going into the half, and all 15 players huddled on the field to shouts and some chest bumping.
|
|
Senior Nick DiPietro (Calvert Hall) once again anchored the
Towson lineouts in sloppy conditions |
The teams flipped sides, which benefited Salisbury because the pitch is a little downhill on one side. Seven minutes into the half, Salisbury once again started pounding away inside the Towson 5 meter line until they finally crossed it for the first time on the day at the 47 minute mark. The kick was wide and Towson held the lead 13-5. The rest of the second half was a true chess match: kick and chase, pick and go, up and under...you name it - they did it on both sides of the ball. Salisbury once again got the ball down to the Towson 5 meter line and after what seemed like an eternity, they finally scored on a pick-and-go. The kick was short and Towson still held the lead 13-10 at the 64 minute mark.
|
|
Kutztown transfer sophomore Nick Auvil (Calvert Hall)
played a solid game on both sides fo the ball |
That score would hold until the last 5 minutes of the match when Salisbury once again got the ball down inside the Towson 5 meter line and the Towson forwards went to work. Salisbury made attempt after attempt to pick the ball and score, the forwards made tackle after tackle and at one point it looked like a black wall on the try line as they pressured the Salisbury forwards to finally knock the ball on and turn it over to Towson in a scrum. They won the scrum and cleared the ball with a huge kick that gave Salisbury the ball back at mid field. They attempted to spin the ball to the sideline, but ended up taking it into touch and giving Towson a line out. Salisbury stole the ball, which was their only defensive take on the day, and tried to work it down the middle of the field until Towson was called for leaving their feet in a ruck. A penalty was awarded to Salisbury with no time on the clock and the ball just inside Towson territory. Salisbury needed to keep the ball in play and opted to run the ball, but Towson's defense was superb and the forwards kept pressure on the back line until they forced a knock-on to end the match. It was the same scenario as last year, except the shoe was on the other foot this year and there was a much different outcome. Towson took its first PRC Championship and an automatic bid to Nationals for the 5th straight year.
|
|
Senior Eric Sweeney (Mt. St. Joe) was named
Collegiate Player of the week conference MVP |
Towson captain Eric Sweeney was named MVP and also earned Aircraft Charter Solutions Collegiate Player of the Week (CLICK HERE), as well as the referee's Green Card for excellent play and sportsmanship for the Georgetown game.
Our next match will be in Pittsburgh in two weeks at the Sweet 16...make your travel plans now!!! We hope to see you there.
Coach Tony D
|
|
| Senior lock Tyler Honeycutt (Hereford) anchored the Towson defense with senior hooker Jason Laraia (Damascus) and freshman prop Anthony Tirabassi (Calvert Hall) |
|
|
| |
|
