Another Close On in ARC as Walsh Edges St. Bonaventure

10.03.2026College Men

Ayabpnga Mkhokheli for Walsh vs St. Bonaventure. photo Alex Goff.

Author: Alex Goff

In a clash of GRR's #1 and #4 NCR D1 teams, Walsh University scored a late try to edge St. Bonaventure 20-14 Friday night in New York State.

St. Bonaventure has been in close games all season, with three victories by a lone point and another win by less than a try. So a close game was nothing new. And, in fact, this game was a one-point lead in favor of Bonnies for most of the match.

Walsh threatened early by were stymied by a penalty, a common theme on the night. And once Bonnies was able to get kick clear, they got another penalty and fullback Koen Webb slotted a long-range penalty for a3-0 St. Bonaventure lead.

Bonnies looked to add to that, stretching the Walsh defense from sideline to sideline, but the last pass didn't go to hand.

Meanwhile, Walsh was under pressure in the scrum and inconsistent in the lineouts, and as a result they couldn't launch as effectively as they want.

Finally when they got good lineout ball they did test the SBU defense.

Bonnies struck next. Hard running from captain and No. 8 Davitt Barrett set them up and Webb was able to slot another penalty. Walsh responded right off the restart with intense pressure, and scrumhalf Elliot McKinney put the kick over to make it 6-3 St. Bonaventure.

Bonnies started to get on the front foot and wing Dara Falope looked very dangerous. Walsh held on, but finally the ball was sent wide to Webb and he scored in the corner. No conversion, but Bonnies now led 11-3.

With time winding down in the first half, Walsh got into the St. Bonaventure 22. They ran it down the sideline, broke a tackle, and support was there for fullback Ayabpnga Mkhokheli to take it over. McKinney slotted a brilliant kick and it was 11-10 as teams went into halftime.

One fun call during that time came from referee Justin Hale, when McKinney was pinged for enticing the Bonnies defense offside. A player in the halfback position is not allowed to make a motion designed to draw a team offside. McKinney absolutely did that with an aggressive head-fake and Hale was the man on the spot to see it. The crowd might have been confused, but the official had the right call, rare as it it.

St. Bonaventure would have entered the locker room ruing a couple of missed scoring chances, but they had held up against Walsh's physical play.

Early in the second half Bonnies once again was close to the Walsh line but were forced to hold on in the tackle—flanker Tristan Killian making the play. St. Bonaventure was able to keep up the pressure and finally Webb slotted a very kickable penalty for a 14-10 scoreline.

Once again Walsh pressured off the restart, got a penalty, and McKinney put the ball over. Now it was 14-13.

It stayed that way for quite some time. Bonnies got within in Walsh five-meter several times. A knock-on, and a couple of jackles or penalties stopped them each time. The SBU players can be forgiven for keeping up the pressure, rather than going for posts, because Walsh seemed so successful in using the restart to get three right back onto the scoreboard.

But the frustration grew.

Walsh, meanwhile, was having all sorts of trouble with their lineout. Not straight, slow lift, overthrow ... it was all happening. And they made a change, with hooker Josh Groudle (who had been practicing his throwing for about five days) going to a high, parabolic throw that dropped down on the rear jumper.

it worked. That throw off an attacking lineout set up a crucial maul, Walsh recycled the ball and then flyhalf Aphindile Ngcuke sent a grubber through to the line.

Here's where it gets weird. Bonnies seemed to have it covered, running back to the ball as it rolled into in-goal. But the player chasing the ball was so hyper-focused on the ball he neglected to notice how close he was to the goalposts. He ran right into the post, which stopped his progress.

Racing in at full speed was Walsh outside center Ben Cassidy, and he dove on the ball. Try for Walsh, and the Cavaliers' first lead of the match. mcKinney converted, and it was 20-14 for the Cavs.

Walsh now had to work the clock and they did quite well, putting the ball deep in the Bonnies' half, and winning another couple of lineouts with the same throw, one leading to a long maul that ate up precious seconds.

St. Bonaventure did have a chance, however, when outside back Rufus Graham-Maw sped down the sideline. But Walsh scrambled well enough, and the Cavs held on.

For Walsh, it was a case of being gritty and tenacious, especially in defending their goalline. For St. Bonaventure, they have to finish better. Their short-yardage game let them down as they had seven visits within five meters of the Walsh line and nothing to show for it.

Both teams, however, showed they know what they're doing. I Walsh the best team in NCR D1? Maybe. They showed they have the desire to be there.