Four From Kendig Sparks Vienna Win

02.26.2023HS Boys

Vienna defeated the Raleigh Redhawks 42-5 over the weekend, following up on a big win over Loudoun County the week before.

It's been a good start for Vienna but still it's early days. Many of the current Vienna and Raleigh players have played against each other since 4th or 5th grade, and no matter the age there's a good rivalry between the two, with most games very close. Last year's game saw Raleigh take a 31-12 lead only for Vienna to storm back to win 55-31.

The rivalry is steeped in respect, but it was tough for the Redhawks this time around as Vienna controlled things on the scoreboard at least.

Played two days after it was sunny and 80 degrees, this game was played in snow and a freezing wind. That made for some difficult ball-handling conditions.

Vienna pressured early while Raleigh stymied their attack. Finally Vienna hooker David Kendig bulldozed his way over and captain Camden Erickson converted to open up the scoring 7-0.

The next 20 minutes saw end-to-end action with both teams threatening to score, but bone-crunching tackles and windy, wet conditions made for knock-ons and turnovers. Both defenses were stingy and neither offense could sustain much momentum. Eventually Vienna's defensive pressure turned the ball over again and they were away for a try, converted by Erickson, to bring the tally to 14-0 Vienna.

While the Vienna backline struggled with ball-handling and turnovers, the ViennafForward pack continued to rumble. Junior No. 8 Juan Cat was a tackling force and carrying the ball broke the gainline repeatedly. Kendig finished the Vienna team effort with his second try, also converted by Erickson, and that made it 21-0 at halftime.

The second half started much like the first with both teams pressuring and trading field territory, but neither team was able to hold onto the ball long enough to score. Finally Kendig was able to bully his way to paydirt for his third, and it was 28-0.

This week Vienna welcomed back several wrestlers who last week competed at the Virginia State Championship. One of them, flanker Owen Lebkisher, won a state championship, while props Owen Sheeran and Daniel Palmer, and lock Isaac Sanderson were also coming back into the rugby team. All contributed in defense and offense, and it was Sheeran who rumbled for some long runs before scoring a try of his own, which Erickson converted.

Even late in the game, Raleigh never relented and continued to aggressively tackle, jackal, ruck and attack—they certainly have a reputation of emptying the tank regardless of the score. Raleigh kicked deep into the Vienna 22 and when Vienna cleared with a kick of their own, one of the Vienna players chased from a clearly offside position and was penalized,. From there Raleigh pressed on and then took a scrum 15 meters out. The Redhawks worked hard to put it over, making it 33-5.

After the restart, Vienna responded by winning the ball back a short while later and working their phases down the field before. Kendig did the job once more, scoring his fourth. The conversion closed it out at 42-5.

Vienna fullback Tomas Edmeades and wings Charlie Taylor and Ryan Vagoun played very well and were dangerous, reeling off several long runs. But Raleigh's cover defense was very good all day and kept them from scoring. Vienna needed their forwards to finish off those movement as the Raleigh cover defense was quite good.

Vienna and Raleigh's U15 game came down to the wire with Vienna flyhalf James Thorley making all four tough conversions and a try-saving tackle to seal a 28-26 victory. For many of those players, including Thorley, this was their first game of rugby.

Raleigh's JV team was shorthanded, but in the rugby time-honored tradition, Vienna boys loaned them some players. Vienna won 60-14 in a game that was played in a good spirit.

Raleigh Redhawks, Vienna

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