Danes Top Rival RPI in Scrimmage

Albany, NY- 3/24/12 The Danes took took the field in an early season scrimmage against RPI. The Danes focused on 2 areas that they have been working diligintly on during practice, ball retention in contact and stretching the field by getting the ball wide to the wingers. They proved to be very successful at ball retention winning 90% or their offensive movements. Wide ball was also accomplished against a pretty good RPI rush defense. Both these combinations would lead to two Albany scores to to one RPI tally, Albany 12-RPI 5.

Coach Durant statedd "The coaching staff was pleased that we were able to accomplish what we set out to do today. RPI is a big, physical side that counter rucks well and for the most part we were able to create multiple phases and produce good ball for our backs to work with. The backs handled well but need work on depth and pace"

Albany XVs host Syracuse U 2nd side as Albany 7s is on the road to U. New Hampshire for the first round of the Universal Collegiatte 7s Circuit.

UAlbany Staff and Players volunteer at 2 Clinics in March

UAlbany Rugby Staff and Players volunteered at the Player Development Camp [3/16+17] and USA Rugby Coaching Development Clinic [3/24+25]. The camp had 60+ boys and girls attend the 2 day camp. Lead Instructors for the camp were Luke Gross & Melanie Denham

Luke Gross is the forwards coach for the men U20s, the Men Collegiate All Americans and the USA Women's Eagles. Luke brings the experience of 12 years of professional rugby, playing in the United Kingdom and Italy. He has played for the USA National team 62 times as a second row. He played in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups. Luke is currently the High Performance Manager and Specialist Coach for USA Rugby.

Melanie Denham resides in Massachusetts and played in the 2010 World Cup and is a current WNT player at #6, 7 or 8. She is the Forwards Coach for Radcliffe Women's Rugby and plays club rugby for Beantown Rugby.

UAlbany coaches John Durant and Dave Farison assisted.

UAlbany players took the field at USA CDP clinic held for two days on the UAlbany campus. Players ran drills for coaches working on getting their USA Coaching certificate in Introducing Rugby.

Vegas 7s

The Danes traveled to Nevada for the Las Vegas Invitational 7s Rugby Tournament. Albany's first attempt to compete on a national stage. Albany found out that the learning curve is steep but can be worth the effort now that they have learned what it takes to succeed. Albany would suffer loses to University of Georgia, Cal Poly, Stanford and Longwood before defeating Southern Illinois in the final contest. Game scores and game recaps will be posted in the future.

Danes face Georgia Bulldogs Thursday in LVI opening round

UAlbany Rugby Roster set for LVI 7s vs Georgia Bulldogs:

Dylan Gandy

Ethan Grossman

Shane Jacobi

Andrew Moth

Dan McNamarra

Adrian Newell

Spencer Pesce

Anthony Russo

Chase Stoffle

Dylan Tumbasolan

Clayton White

Ryan Grant

Stay tuned for photos, video and score updates on this site.

UAlbany 7s Going to Vegas Tournament

UAlbany 7s will be traveling to the prestegious Las Vegas 7s Invitational Rugby Tournament February 9-12th. Albany is building on their runner up finish in the East Coast Rugby Conference Tournament and a Plate finalist at the Empire 7s Tournament.

The Danes will face the Southeast Conference's Georgia and perenial power Cal Poly on Thursday. Friday the Albany will face Stanford University and then advance to pool play. Coach Durant "This is a great opportunity for our players. We have made great progress in the olympic version of the sport and this increased competition can only make us better." Albany will start getting after it with 7:00am practices to prepare for the tournament in which stamina and fitness are keys to success,

Stay tuned to the Insider for player interviews, tournament highlights and team news.

Sirkia Kicks Middlebury Past Albany

Courtsy of Rugby Magazine

Written by Alex Goff Saturday, 08 October 2011 22:34

Sirkia Kicks Middlebury Past Albany
Middlebury claimed a hard-won victory 29-22 over SUNY Albany Saturday, coming back from a 17-12 deficit to win.

The Vermont school has been hit hard by injuries and struggled with keeping it together on a hot, 80-degree day.

They also struggled with scoring tries, but were fortunate to have scrumhalf Brian Sirkia there to kick goals. Sirkia notched four penalties in the first half to tries by Albany prop Tyler Coyle, wing Brian Cordero and No. 8 Antony Russo. Center Dan McNammara added a conversion for the 17-12 lead at halftime.

But Middlebury stormed out of the gates in the second half, pinning Albany in their end and forcing Albany into more penalties. Sirkia was good on four more to put his side ahead 24-17 with 15 minutes to go.

“After the game I asked Brian, ‘what did you say to them?’” said Middlebury Head Coach John Phillips. “Somebody said something because we were just more intense – we rucked better and tackled much better.”

With 15 minutes to go sub flanker Sam Murray inserted into the backline and ran a smart angle to score Middlebury’s only try of the match to make it 29-17.

Albany tried to come back, and scored a try through sub prop Justin Barends, but it wasn’t enough.

It was a game where the teams held dominance in different areas, but Middlebury emerged winners because they didn’t commit penalties, Albany did, and Sirkia’s kicking was almost perfect.

“Middlebury’s patience and discipline carried them throughout the game,” said Albany Head Coach John Durant.

SUNY Albany Holds Off BC

Written by Alex Goff Saturday, 01 October 2011 12:17

SUNY Albany Holds Off BC
SUNY Albany edged Boston College 19-18 Friday in the opening East Coast Rugby Conference match for both college teams.

Played on the artificial turf field at Amesbury Sports Park, and finished under the lights, the match was a tight one all the way.

BC dominated early play, scoring through Jake O'Brien and Kyle McVicker at 16 and 20 minutes, respectively. Up 10-0, the Eagles perhaps through they'd roll. But several attacks close to the Albany tryline ended with knock-ons, and let off the hook, the New Yorkers came back.

Adrian Newell ran in two tries later in the first half, the second converted by Daniel McNamara for a 12-10 lead. BC's John Casey clotted a penalty with six minutes left in the half to put his side up 13-12 at the break.

That slim lead lasted well into the second half as both sides played aggressive rugby but couldn't claim any points for their efforts. Late in second half, Albany turned over ball after a BC attack, and countered. Sean Kimmins touched down for the try, and McNamara's conversion gave Albany a 19-13 lead with time winding down.

Seven minutes later BC responded with a try of their own, with sub John Potapchuk claiming the score in the corner. Casey had a tough conversion attempt to take the lead and his effort drifted wide.

As the game came to a close, BC got a penalty, but Casey was no good with the attempt, and Albany held on 19-18.