West Point finish 3-0
09 Nov 2009
by: CDT K. Palmer
Army First XV v. Boston College
Score: Army 41- BC 5
Try Scorers: Drew Dill (x2), Ben Leatigaga (x2), Peter Belden (x2), and Miles Rowan
Conversions: Dom Latino (3 for 7)
Match Details:
The West Point First XV came out strong against Boston College on Saturday. They started off quick with a first try scored by Dill who received an offload from Dave Geib following a break in the line. West Point kept the pressure on with the kicking game, keeping BC in their own half of the field for the majority of the first half. They took advantage of the overloads when the defense was pinched down. Ben Leatigaga finished a try that followed about six phases. Geib saw the overload on the outside and worked the ball from the far side of the field from the breakdown to Leatigaga on the wing. After a few phases of kick and chase by both teams, Geib fielded a kick from the opposition and made one pass to Leatigaga on the wing who raced the next 80 meters for the try. The Black Knights took great advantage of disfigured defense throughout the match. During one such play around midfield, scrumhalf Alex Farinelli picked the ball from the breakdown and broke the line. He ran all the way down to the 1 meter where he was tackled from behind. Luckily, West Point kept a good chase on and was able to ruck and eventually put the try away which was scored by Miles Rowan. West Point was able to work the ball through the back line well during this match, as was demonstrated when after a few phases after the scrum, the back line attacked, sending Gibson Sale through the line to about ten meters out where he moved the ball to Drew Dill who worked his way through the defense for the try.
The storyline of the second half proved to be a little different. The match became a battle for field position. The kicking game greatly increased and both sides suffered from numerous penalties. The first score of the half occurred eight minutes in, when West Point stole a BC lineout. After this, the Black Knights ran a few phases and drew the defense in close to the break down. Geib was able to move the ball outside the defense to Peter Belden who shook a few defenders and was able to get in for the try. The rest of the half was spent working hard for both sides to try to acquire some advantage over the other. West Point would not score again until four minutes remained on the clock. Following a knock on by the Black Knights, BC had the put in of the scrum on their 5 meter. West Point’s pack was able to win the scrum and continue to drive BC back into their try zone. Eight-man Peter Belden, then picked the ball from the back of the scrum and put it down for the try. Overall, the match went well for the Knights, winning a majority of the set pieces and taking advantage of the overloads when they were on. The second half score line might not show it, but West Point’s top side put up a good fight against Boston College throughout the entire match.