Four games in the Rugby East on Saturday gave fans two very close games and two that, ultaimtely, weren't so close.
Navy vs Mary Washington
Navy edged Mary Washington in a defensive battle.
In a game that brought together two stingy defenses, Navy led 8-3 at halftime and scored two unconverted tries to win it 18-3.
Navy likes to work through multiple phases to starve teams of possession. Navy Director of Rugby, Gavin Hickie, gave credit to former Dartmouth Head Coach and now Navy assistant James Willocks for stepping in to help with Navy’s execution and clarity of their game plan.
“Navy has always been a team built on conditioning and fitness, but that does not carry a team anymore in the college game," said Hickie. "Rugby IQ has become critical in the success of a program at this level. James’s contributions have certainly impacted that part of our game.”
Navy took an early 5-0 lead off a scrum, with Ben Haugh going over. The teams then traded penalty kicks to round out the scoring in the first 40.
About 10 minutes into the second half UMW threatened but a turnover and big Lewis Gray run lifted the pressure on Navy. Eventually Navy got a kickable penalty and Roanin Krieger slotted the goal to make it 11-3. With time winding down Krieger sent a long pass to Gray who raced in for the second try of the game. Krieger converted, and that was it.
(Additional reporting Tony De Cesare)
Kutztown vs Southern Virginia
It ws a very tense game between SVU and Kutztown. Southern Virginia is a physical side with, frankly, not much to lose and they certainly brought the heat on the Bears.
SVU led 26-24 and with time running out Kutztown worked their way into SVU territory and got a penalty. Center PJ O'Reilly slotted the goal to win 27-26 on dramatic fashion.
