Danes Sink USMMA Kings Point, 7-0

Portsmouth, RI - The Danes wrapped up the second day of the Beast of the East Tournament with a hard fought win vs a physical USMMA side. USMMA controlled play for the entire first half maintaining possession for 90% of the time. Albany's defense was up to the task keeping them from pay dirt.

The second half was a different story. Albany's tap penalty to Mike Falatyn netted the deciding score. Jack Reissman converted and Albany closed out the game with a defensive stand inside their 22.

Albany's All "B"lacks travel to Albany Law for the second game of a home and home series.

Danes Blanked on Beast's First Day

Portsmouth, RI- The UAlbany Great Danes lost their two pool matches at the Beast of the East Rugby Tournament in Portsmouth,RI, UA 0 -Brown 22 abd UA 7 - UConn 10. The first match vs the Ivy League's Brown University was a tale of two styles in which Brown's backfield used strategic kicking and strong back play to blank Albany. Albany's forwards did a fine job at controlling tempo on offense but Brown would take advantage, to the tune of 22 points, of any Albany turnover.

In the second game vs UCONN, Albany's 4/10/10 opponent, got their revenge, 10- 7. Poor clearing kicks proved to be Albany's demise. This enabled UConn to stay in Albany territoy which would stymie any Albany hopes for victory. Albany's score came off a nice Gary Owen by flyhalf Dylan Gandy to a streaking center Mike Cyr who took the ball on one hop and downed it to the right of the posts. Jack Reisman added the conversion.

Albany's All "B"lacks faced UMASS B in in a second division match where the UMASS would come out on top 12-5. Albany hooker Kevin Boyle dove in off a truck and trail for Albany's lone score

UAlbany All "B"lacks 12- Albany Law 5

UAlbany, NY - The UAlbany All "B"lacks took on the lawyers in training of Albany Law school in the first of two midweek contest between the schools. UA came out on top in this one with excellent forward play by the pack. UA one the battle of possesion and played stingy defense to keep the pace in their favor. Eight man Matt Zapala would dive in the try zone for the winning score after being set up by Ryan Sweet's quick tap penalty. Sweet would convert the try.

UAlbany travels to Rhode Island this weekend for the prestigous beast of the East Tournament. Follow us live on Twitter off of www.ualbanyrugby.com

"With You Jonsey"

In support of injured Purple Haze standout, former UAlbany scrum coach and longtime Albany Knickerbocker front row player the UAlbany Rugby team is wearing "Jonesy" T-shirts for pre-game warmups for the remainder of the 2010 season. To help Mike out..please go to www.MichaelJonesTrust.org

Danes Upend UCONN, 20-5

The Danes battled NERFU kingpins UCONN on a blustery Albany day. UCONN took great advantage of a strong tailwind to keep the Danes pinned in their own territory for the majority of the first half. Each of Albany's clearing kicks would result in a UCONN lineout which they dominated and set up a good base to attack from with their larger than average pack. Albany would stand tall through much of the pressure but would finally break down and give up a score by UCONN's lock forward. Albany prop Casey Leahey would knot the game at 5 by breaking free off of an Albany ruck and scampering nealy 45 meters for the score.

With the wind a their back, UAlbany put the pedal to the metal to start the second half with a quick score by lock Matt Zapala. Co-captain and 8 man Dave Santander would add another score while Alex Tratros would close out the scoring at 20-5.

UAlbany's All "B"lacks wound up with a 0-0 tie. UAlbany travels to Rhode Island for the Beast of the East Tournament this weekend after the All "B"lacks take on Albany Law at UAlbany on Wednesday.

Danes Split Doubleheader With Clarion at 4 Leaf Tournament

New York, NY - The Danes traveled south on 87 to the newly renovated Randall's dIsland athletic fields for the Village Lions hosted 4 Leaf Rugby Tournament. The Danes opened with an early morining kick off on very blustery, cold day against Clarion of University out of PA. Clarion struck first when No. 8 Thomas Dietz drove over the Danes line on a short plunge off of a driving maul. Early second half saw much improvement by the Albany pack to settle down Clarion's drive and offer a platform for the Albany's attack. Scrum half Jake Touhey served Dylan Gandy's backline the ball and Alex Trataros took the the ball home to tie the game at 5. Clarion would answer with spin ball to the backs where winger Seth Johnson downed the ball in the corner. Albany would counter and with under a minute left in regulation find them selfs with a 15 meter scrum directly in front of the posts however, they were unable to steal Clarion ball and any chance of victory dashed.

In the second match, due to the cancellation of Hofstra U, Albany showed improved form and would play most of the game in Clarion territory. Albany captain Jake Touhey scored the lone points of the game mid way through the second half when he executed a pop kick over the Clarion defense for a chase down catch and score. This was a great victory and a great day of rugby for the Danes. Albany utilized in both games a split side which included as many as 7 players who were in there first ever rugby game. Coach Durant's comment "We were able to come down here and be competitive while accomplishing our goal of Getting everyone game experience. It is a testament to our veterans who who played hard and remained positive despite the mistakes that happen when you go young. Our new players have shown great dedication and patience in their first two weeks in the program and I look forward to see how they progress as the season continues."

Albany travels acroos the Hudson River on Wednesday, April 7th to take on a much improved RPI side and will follow that with big spring game Vs. NERFU powerhouse UCONN on Saturday, April 10th.

Danes Drop Vassar in Spring opener, 27-17

Poughkeepsie, NY (March 24, 2010)- Albany made their yearly trek to the "Farm" at Vassar and dropped the home side 27-17. Albany started of the first 40 minutes with spirited butmistake ridden play. Even though mistakes were many Vassar only capitalized on one to go into hakf time up 5-0 on a Brent Ankler try in the corner.

Albany adjusted to the poor first half scrum thecknique and started winning their own ball and disrupting the Vassar pack. 8 man Bryan Ambery took a break up the sideline and fed Jake Touhey who dished back in to Moses Asis for a try in the corner. Albany would add scores by Tom Ambury, Alex Trataros, Mike Falatyn and Ryan Grant for a final of 27-17.