(Photo courtesy Mark Collier/Norwich University)
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's rugby team scored 63 unanswered points to crush the Univ. of New Hampshire 68-5 on Saturday afternoon at the NU Dog River Rugby Pitch. With the victory, the Cadets snapped a three-match losing streak and evened their overall record to 3-3 on the season and 2-3 in Northeast Collegiate Rugby Conference (NECRC) action.
The first try of the match was scored by senior flanker Kevin Hoelzer at 2:30 mark. UNH intercepted a Norwich pass at the 5:15 mark to tie the match 5-5.
Norwich broke loose with an unconverted try at the 9:35 by senior fullback Michael Blackmon, followed by a try by freshman scrumhalf Thomas St. Pierre at 13:00 and a try by sophomore #8 Evan King that was converted by Blackmon. After 16 minutes of play Norwich led UNH 22-5.
Norwich closed the first half with three more tries, 22:00 by freshman winger Maligie Conteh, a converted try senior outside center Tim Hunter, and another converted try at 41:00 by junior prop Shaquille Malcolm. The half ended with Norwich leading UNH 41-5.
In the second half, Norwich was held in check by a solid second half surge by the UNH squad. NU did not get on the board again until 58th minute when King scored. Two more tries at 61:30 by senior hooker Arick Rebetje and at 63:30 by Conteh.
After 64 minutes of play Norwich was up 56-5. The Cadets closed out the match with a try at the 72:00 minute by senior captain prop Seamus Page and another by junior winger Michael Dowling at the 77th minute.
"The boys brought their "A" game today," said NU head men's rugby coach Bob Weggler. "We had six tries by the backs and six tries by the forwards, ten different people with at least one try."
Norwich travels to Boston to take on Boston University next Saturday. Kick-off time is to be determined.
