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West Point Start Strong

19 Oct 2009

by: CDT K. Palmer

West Point’s First XV v. Northeastern

Score: 93-3

Try Scorers: Dom Latino (4), Miles Rowan, Chris Frederick (2), Peter Belden, Cole Morrison, Gibson Sale, Bobby O’Neill (2), and Andrew Hansche
Conversions: Dom Latino: 11 of 13
Penalty Kicks: Dom Latino: 1 of 3
Drop Goals: Dave Geib 1 of 1

            On Saturday October 17, Army hosted Northeastern at the Anderson Rugby Complex for their season opener. Army started off the game receiving and wasted no time in striking first against Northeastern. After countering the kick off, Army received the ball again around midfield and began the attack. Working both sides of the field, they were able to open up gaps in the Northeastern defense. After a few short phases, scrumhalf Alex Farinelli moved the ball to Gibson Sale who put the ball in Dom Latino’s hands for his first try of the match. Not long after, Army was threatening again. Army’s domination of the set pieces in this game was key to their success. After winning a Northeastern scrum at midfield, 8-man Peter Belden picked the ball and broke through the defense. Moving the ball to Latino, Army was able to move within the 5 meter. Miles Rowan then picked the ball from the back of the ruck and forced his way into the try zone for the score. Army was able utilize their field position well, keeping Northeastern in their own half for the majority of the match. Army’s defense held strong and the back 3 covered their space and worked the counters well to gain field position. Following one of these counters, Army drove to within the 5 meter. After a knock on error, Northeastern put in the scrum. Army was able to drive the Northeastern pack on their heels, allowing Belden to pick around the scrum. He was stopped by the flanker, but was finished nicely by prop Chris Frederick, who picked the ball from the ruck and pounded in for the try. The next try came again from some excellent work from the forwards, off a 5 meter scrum, they were able to work for the pushover try, where Belden dotted it down. After the kick off, Army was able to counter to within the Northeastern 22 meter. Continuing the domination of the set pieces, Army won yet another Northeastern scrum. Belden moved the ball to flyhalf Dave Geib, who then moved it through the back line to Dom Latino for his second try. The last try of the half was scored by Frederick, who was excellent under the high ball and drove his way in for a try. Northeastern, was awarded 3 points just before half for an Army infringement within kicking range. Army headed into the locker room at half, leading 38-3.
            Following suit with the pace of the first half, Army came out strong in the second half. After only three minutes of play, Army was threatening within the Northeastern 22 meter.  After multiple phases, Northeastern were forced to commit a penalty and with advantage being played, Geib calmly stepped into the pocket and added 3 more points through a well struck drop goal. Army maintained their presence in the set pieces, especially in the line outs. As an example, Army took the penalty kick to touch for a line out. After the throw, Army set into a maul and began to drive Northeastern back to within their 10 meter. Cole Morrison broke out of the maul and worked to space where he was able to score the try. Penalties did not result in too many points during the match but Latino was able to convert after a Northeastern diving over penalty about 30 meters out. On a Northeastern attack from within their 22, Army’s defense held strong. As Northeastern moved the ball through their back line, Gibson Sale read the ball perfectly and went for the intercept, resulting in him going 30 meters untouched for the try. Army regained possession with another scrum within the opposite 22. After another pick from Belden, he fought his way to within the 5 meter. Bobby O’Neill, was quick to act as the defense was scrambling and sniped around the breakdown for a try. Army utilized all of their substitutions and brought in fresh legs to finish out the game. Using these reserves, Army was able put yet another try on the board. Working both sides of the field, Army spread the defense enough to attack the far side of the field. Geib moved the ball through the line using multiple runners out to Kallen Ryan who fixed the last defender and moved the ball to Andrew Hansche who finished the run from 30 meters out for the try. Then, following a Northeastern clearing kick, Belden received it and countered. He broke through the defense and moved the ball to O’Neill who worked his way down the sideline for the try. The last two tries of the game were scored by Dom Latino which were the result of good passing through the line and Latino finding the space to put the ball into the try zone. 
            Army was able to seal the game with a 93-3 victory through domination of the set pieces and solid defense to keep Northeastern in their half. Also, Army’s attack worked very well together distributing the ball and working together in order to keep up the intensity of the match.

Next Match: West Point’s First XV next plays this coming Saturday, 24 October. The team will take on the University of Connecticut at Anderson Rugby Complex. Kickoff is at 1300.$0$0 $0