Vienna took on both the Clayton Rugby Club and Raleigh Redhawks over the weekend, although it all didn't quite go as expected.

Vienna did well, and beat both teams, but because of heavy winter weather in North Carolina early in the weekend, Raleigh's home pitch was closed, forcing a change in that game from Saturday to Sunday.

Pat and Becky Cunningham, who run the Clayton rugby program, were happy to switch days, although that meant Clayton was playing Vienna and also the Raleigh Rattlesnakes on the same day.  

The Clayton varsity boys team courageously fronted up to play Vienna varsity in a shortened, 40-minute match. The fresher Vienna side was on point and won a spirited game 54-0.

Unfortunately Vienna powerhouse No. 8 Christos Kalpaxis and starting lock Juan Cat were injured, which meant they would take no further part in the weekend's action.

Vienna JV and Clayton JV then played a very competitive full match in which Vienna JV won 39-17.  

On Sunday, Vienna kicked off into the wind and Raleigh attacked with the wind at their backs. In the 4th minute Vienna backs put the ball through the hands and outside center Drew Baublitz scored in the center, Captain Camden Erickson converted for a 7-0 lead. Vienna attacked again getting within five meters, But Raleigh expertly jackaled the ball and stymied Vienna’s attack.

Vienna continued to pressure, and Erickson put Baublitz through for a unconverted try, bringing the score at 12-0. 

Raleigh had encountered a tough tme at the Carolina Ruggerfest a week before, but they had made some changes since then. With this game carrying with it National Championship play-in ramifications (Vienna, Raleigh, and Fort Hunt will play each other for a spot).

Raleigh brought their strong tackling to the fore and their even more impressive jackaling turned the tides. Off a penalty Raleigh took a lineout five meters out and scored a beautifully-taken try in the corner. The try was converted and that made it 12-7. Raleigh received the restart and continued to put Vienna under pressure, earning a penalty from 30m out. They pu that through the posts and made it 12-10. Raleigh continued to capitalize on Vienna miscues and to create their own scoring opportunities, scoring two converted tries to lead 24-12.

Vienna made some halftime adjustments and came out in the second half on the front foot. Raleigh responded by intercepting a pass to score another from 60 meters out.

Vienna didn't hang their heads and kept at it. Vienna captains Camden Erickson and Dylan Liskey rallied their troops and focused on getting Vienna back into their traditional style of play. Liskey ran hard all day and scored a try, which Erickson converted to slow the Raleigh momentum. Vienna continued to pressure, put the ball through hands and Baublitz scored. Those tries bringing Vienna within a try at 31-24. Vienna received the ensuing restart, worked through the phases, and Liskey scored another solid team try to bring Vienna within two at 31-29.  

Vienna and Raleigh traded possession back and forth, before Vienna jackaled the ball and executed a number of offloads. That set up inside cener Andrew Evan, who sidestepped his way through 40 meters to score and make iot 36-31 with the converison.

Second-half junior subs Niko Tounger (prop), Owen Lebkisher, and Tomas Edmeades (both wings) brought enormous energy on both offense and defense to build Vienna’s momentum in the second half. Tounger’s long runs and his unselfish play allowed Baublitz to score another try to stake Vienna to a 41-31 lead. Vienna forwards amped up their game at the breakdown and gave Vienna a lot of forward momentum, from which the Vienna backs capitalized again with Baublitz scoring another converted try to stretch the lead to 48-31.

The RedHawks fought back and looked to capitalize on a lineout inside Vienna’s 22. But a penalty for obstruction stopped that. Vienna tapped and put the ball through various hands for a 95-meter team try finished by Baublitz for his sixth of the day. Erickson converted from the touchline to push the lead to 55-31 Vienna, which was the final score.

“Today these boys put on a show,"
 enthused Vienna Head Coach Kendall Erickson. "Between the large portion of eggs and bacon at the Marriott this morning and the heartstopping back and forth battle on the pitch, my blood pressure was through the roof today. I am very proud of are boys never-die spirit in coming back from a 31-12 deficit to earn a 55-31 victory. Hats off to Raleigh and Clayton rugby clubs who were tremendously gracious hosts and made for an exceptional weekend of high level rugby.” 

Vienna traveled with over 50 high school players, all of which gained invaluable game experience.