Latham, NY - Albany, hosting the 2012 SUNY Championship Tournament, won 1 out of their 4 games played. Albany playing with a split squad due to their entry in the Boston 7s, defeated a light Stony Brook team 25 - 14. Albany's pack controlled the tempo and created some space for the back's to exploint. UBuffalo 15 - Albany 5 a game in which they could not muster up the enthusiasm of the first contest and played flat. It would get worse when eventual tournament champion, Binghamton, rolled to a 67-0 stomping. Albany would bounce back with a strong effort against 2nd place Brockport but did not have enough with a 25-15 loss.
Albany's efforts of putting out a split team will look to pay dividends in the fall with underclassmen getting some valualble first XV experience.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Vassar Thumps Albany 68-14
Courtesy of Vassar Rugby:
By Tony Brown, Head Coach
4/19/2012
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 18, 2012) -- The final game of the season for the Vassar College men's rugby team was played under cloudy skies with warm temperatures at the Farm and the conditions were ideal for running rugby. The Vassar team needed no other invitation and they bid farewell to their seniors in style, running in 10 tries to demolish a speedy and athletic University of Albany team. Senior Brett Anker set a new single season record for total points scored as he landed 9 conversions to go with two tries and a total of 28 points. Vassar College Men 68 v 14 University of Albany
MenTries: Andrew Jdaydani (3), Joe Karpman (1), Adam Steel (2), Brett Anker (2), Andrew Moore (1), & Hal Moore (1).Cons: Brett Anker (9).Next: Saturday April 28, 2012 versus Vassar Alumni a.k.a. "Big Pink", at Vassar kick-off 12:30 p.m.
Captain James Purtle led the Brewers on to the field in this the final game of the spring season with his thigh heavily strapped. He knew that he was on borrowed time given he was injured just 3 days earlier. Yet in those opening 10 minutes he ran hard, tackled harder, and led from the front as he has always done. When he limped off with the score at 7-7, one had the feeling that the Vassar team would play their hearts out to earn a win.Previous games against Albany have been close affairs. Last year Vassar edged it 14-5 and the year before Albany won 27-17 while in 2008 Vassar was victorious 18-10. But the 2012 contest was a real drubbing for the Albany team. Yet the opening 15 minutes they showed that they had pace and made some good line breaks. Their fullback Sean Kimmins is a flyer and their flyhalf Ryan Grant looked dangerous. Up front they had good size and in the first couple of scrums they attacked the Vassar eight and shoved them back. They certainly didn't do their cause any good when they had players yellow carded, one in each half, and they had to play with 14 men.
So after 25 minutes when Vassar led 17-14 it seemed that this might be yet another one or two score game.Albany looked most dangerous when the field was broken up after a turnover. Their athletic speedsters beat first time tacklers and found space. But too often a poor pass was thrown or the Vassar defense scrambled back and recovered. Vassar's first try was scored by Andrew Jdaydani as he cut back against the defensive flow following a tapped penalty just 15 yards out. The number 8 come inside center is unorthodox to say the least. Brett Anker, who had moved from left wing to take over flyhalf when Purtle left the field, slotted the conversion and it was to prove the first of many successful kicks as he connected on a further 8 in all. Albany responded well and a missed tackle in the centers allowed them to get through and around the Vassar defense to even matters up at 7-7. The next score was an opportunist try from Joe Karpman the Vassar loosehead. He gathered a ball at the base of a ruck and went don the blindside and in his usual no nonsense manner just ran over the defense. Anker missed the conversion and it was 12-7.
In fact the Vassar forwards were playing very well in the loose and one could have thrown a blanket over the whole 8 most of the time as they won ample ball and established their pattern of play. The lineouts were going well since Albany chose not to contest in the air so it was a case of "Zero Gravity Kenney" and "Air Ruginski". Ruginski also managed a couple of steals on the Albany throw. The scrums were rock solid apart from the first two and Albany's situation didn't get any easier when early in the second half Barrington Archer came on to replace Dann Flynn. The big lad had a couple of storming runs and tried to put a whole year of frustration into his last 25 minutes of collegiate rugby!Much of the credit for the Vassar forwards performance is due to two people in particular. Mark Griffiths coaches in the fall and gets the lads thoroughly organized and it is a great pity he is not here in the spring to see them firing on all cylinders. Vassar captain Tyler Blake is the man who drives the engine that Mark creates and he is as skilled an operator as there is on a rugby field. Blake does it all and is seldom noticed given that he is in there among the big bodies. He tackles, scrummages, calls the lineouts, and gets everyone in the right place so he's the ultimate multi-tasker!
So with Vassar assured ball from lineouts and scrums they were able to launch their attacks. Anker kept getting them over the gain line if the ball went to the backs and the forwards were loving the close quarters running off the fringes and making good inroads. In contrast Albany were static at the rucks and when they picked they went maybe a yard or two. Vassar's tackling around the fringes was excellent.
The Vassar backs sliced and diced as the game progressed and it was a joy to see Hayden Moon running with such confidence. He may not have scored on this day but he helped raise the temperature every time he got the ball. Adam Steel played a cracking game. Although he did put in 3 kicks counter to instruction! One led directly to a try and the others were not half bad either. He just had to sign off reminding us that he has that skill! Steel also picked up 2 tries for all his hard work and the D.C. area will be lucky to have him and his halfback partner in the fall there. Another senior Hal Moore scored a try that he will long remember and he tackled well throughout.Every player looks good when the team is on-song like this evening and the younger players too had moments. Freshmen Andrew Moore and Elliot Baker played with verve and skill that belies their years. Moore scored a try following a charge down and Baker was a star on defense.So the 2011-12 collegiate season ends and the Brewers finish 10-2-1, with a 6-2 Fall record and 4-0-1 Spring record. Not too shabby.
By Tony Brown, Head Coach
4/19/2012
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 18, 2012) -- The final game of the season for the Vassar College men's rugby team was played under cloudy skies with warm temperatures at the Farm and the conditions were ideal for running rugby. The Vassar team needed no other invitation and they bid farewell to their seniors in style, running in 10 tries to demolish a speedy and athletic University of Albany team. Senior Brett Anker set a new single season record for total points scored as he landed 9 conversions to go with two tries and a total of 28 points. Vassar College Men 68 v 14 University of Albany
MenTries: Andrew Jdaydani (3), Joe Karpman (1), Adam Steel (2), Brett Anker (2), Andrew Moore (1), & Hal Moore (1).Cons: Brett Anker (9).Next: Saturday April 28, 2012 versus Vassar Alumni a.k.a. "Big Pink", at Vassar kick-off 12:30 p.m.
Captain James Purtle led the Brewers on to the field in this the final game of the spring season with his thigh heavily strapped. He knew that he was on borrowed time given he was injured just 3 days earlier. Yet in those opening 10 minutes he ran hard, tackled harder, and led from the front as he has always done. When he limped off with the score at 7-7, one had the feeling that the Vassar team would play their hearts out to earn a win.Previous games against Albany have been close affairs. Last year Vassar edged it 14-5 and the year before Albany won 27-17 while in 2008 Vassar was victorious 18-10. But the 2012 contest was a real drubbing for the Albany team. Yet the opening 15 minutes they showed that they had pace and made some good line breaks. Their fullback Sean Kimmins is a flyer and their flyhalf Ryan Grant looked dangerous. Up front they had good size and in the first couple of scrums they attacked the Vassar eight and shoved them back. They certainly didn't do their cause any good when they had players yellow carded, one in each half, and they had to play with 14 men.
So after 25 minutes when Vassar led 17-14 it seemed that this might be yet another one or two score game.Albany looked most dangerous when the field was broken up after a turnover. Their athletic speedsters beat first time tacklers and found space. But too often a poor pass was thrown or the Vassar defense scrambled back and recovered. Vassar's first try was scored by Andrew Jdaydani as he cut back against the defensive flow following a tapped penalty just 15 yards out. The number 8 come inside center is unorthodox to say the least. Brett Anker, who had moved from left wing to take over flyhalf when Purtle left the field, slotted the conversion and it was to prove the first of many successful kicks as he connected on a further 8 in all. Albany responded well and a missed tackle in the centers allowed them to get through and around the Vassar defense to even matters up at 7-7. The next score was an opportunist try from Joe Karpman the Vassar loosehead. He gathered a ball at the base of a ruck and went don the blindside and in his usual no nonsense manner just ran over the defense. Anker missed the conversion and it was 12-7.
In fact the Vassar forwards were playing very well in the loose and one could have thrown a blanket over the whole 8 most of the time as they won ample ball and established their pattern of play. The lineouts were going well since Albany chose not to contest in the air so it was a case of "Zero Gravity Kenney" and "Air Ruginski". Ruginski also managed a couple of steals on the Albany throw. The scrums were rock solid apart from the first two and Albany's situation didn't get any easier when early in the second half Barrington Archer came on to replace Dann Flynn. The big lad had a couple of storming runs and tried to put a whole year of frustration into his last 25 minutes of collegiate rugby!Much of the credit for the Vassar forwards performance is due to two people in particular. Mark Griffiths coaches in the fall and gets the lads thoroughly organized and it is a great pity he is not here in the spring to see them firing on all cylinders. Vassar captain Tyler Blake is the man who drives the engine that Mark creates and he is as skilled an operator as there is on a rugby field. Blake does it all and is seldom noticed given that he is in there among the big bodies. He tackles, scrummages, calls the lineouts, and gets everyone in the right place so he's the ultimate multi-tasker!
So with Vassar assured ball from lineouts and scrums they were able to launch their attacks. Anker kept getting them over the gain line if the ball went to the backs and the forwards were loving the close quarters running off the fringes and making good inroads. In contrast Albany were static at the rucks and when they picked they went maybe a yard or two. Vassar's tackling around the fringes was excellent.
The Vassar backs sliced and diced as the game progressed and it was a joy to see Hayden Moon running with such confidence. He may not have scored on this day but he helped raise the temperature every time he got the ball. Adam Steel played a cracking game. Although he did put in 3 kicks counter to instruction! One led directly to a try and the others were not half bad either. He just had to sign off reminding us that he has that skill! Steel also picked up 2 tries for all his hard work and the D.C. area will be lucky to have him and his halfback partner in the fall there. Another senior Hal Moore scored a try that he will long remember and he tackled well throughout.Every player looks good when the team is on-song like this evening and the younger players too had moments. Freshmen Andrew Moore and Elliot Baker played with verve and skill that belies their years. Moore scored a try following a charge down and Baker was a star on defense.So the 2011-12 collegiate season ends and the Brewers finish 10-2-1, with a 6-2 Fall record and 4-0-1 Spring record. Not too shabby.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
XVs Lose to Albany Knickerbocker RFC B's
The Albany Knicks B side took the field against a spirited UAlbany team. Knicks wing Sean Mertz put down a marker as to why he should be on the starting 15, and with that fire, could not be denied as he crossed the try line 4 times; for his effort he was awarded Man of the Match. Additional tries came from inside center Rev Protain and eightman Joe Judge.
UAlbany scores by #8 Adrian Newell and Sean Keenan fueled UA's attack. With UA 7's playing in the Capital Cup 7s Tournament this enabled the XV's to get a game against high quality competition.
Albany Knicks 38
UAlbany 10
Albany travels to Vassar College for a Wednesday [4/18/12] afternoon match.
UAlbany scores by #8 Adrian Newell and Sean Keenan fueled UA's attack. With UA 7's playing in the Capital Cup 7s Tournament this enabled the XV's to get a game against high quality competition.
Albany Knicks 38
UAlbany 10
Albany travels to Vassar College for a Wednesday [4/18/12] afternoon match.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Albany Places 3rd in Capital Cup 7s
Latham, NY – American International College defeated Boston College 26 – 24 to take 1st place at the Capital Cup Collegiate 7s Tournament held in Latham, NY and hosted by University at Albany Rugby. The Capital Cup is the 2nd leg in the Universal Sports Colegiatte 7s Circuit with the 1st Stop at the UNH 7s and concluding on 4/21 in Boston, MA.
Albany went 3-2 in pool play with wins over; AIC 2[38 -10], UConn [48-14] + UNH [22-14] and lost to Boston College [ 17-14] and tournament champion AIC 1 [21-20]. Albany loss to AIC proved to be a killer where Albany scored 4 tries to AIC 3 but failed to convert any conversions to AIC's three. The difference between playing in the championship round and 3/4 place game.
Albany would take on UNH in the 3rd/4th place game after beating them in pool play, 22-14. Once again Albany got the best of UNH, 26-19. Albany led the tournament in points for 168 and 29 tries. Ryan Grant led all scorers with 6 tries.
Circuit Standings going into Boston, the 3rd and final stop, on the Collegiate 7's Circuit are as follows: 1. AIC-A 22pts2. UNH-A 14pts3. Albany 12pts4. UConn 6pts. It will be tough for Albany to gain enough ground on AIC to overtake them but the competition in Boston will be stiff with Dartmouth, Harvard, Northeastern U entering sides. Dartmount is the reigning CRC 7s Champion and will have multiple sides entered in the tournament.
Albany went 3-2 in pool play with wins over; AIC 2[38 -10], UConn [48-14] + UNH [22-14] and lost to Boston College [ 17-14] and tournament champion AIC 1 [21-20]. Albany loss to AIC proved to be a killer where Albany scored 4 tries to AIC 3 but failed to convert any conversions to AIC's three. The difference between playing in the championship round and 3/4 place game.
Albany would take on UNH in the 3rd/4th place game after beating them in pool play, 22-14. Once again Albany got the best of UNH, 26-19. Albany led the tournament in points for 168 and 29 tries. Ryan Grant led all scorers with 6 tries.
Circuit Standings going into Boston, the 3rd and final stop, on the Collegiate 7's Circuit are as follows: 1. AIC-A 22pts2. UNH-A 14pts3. Albany 12pts4. UConn 6pts. It will be tough for Albany to gain enough ground on AIC to overtake them but the competition in Boston will be stiff with Dartmouth, Harvard, Northeastern U entering sides. Dartmount is the reigning CRC 7s Champion and will have multiple sides entered in the tournament.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Danes take 2 early season games
Albany, NY - Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm spring the Danes were able to schedule 2 early games taking on Capital District rival RPI and Syracuse U. RPI was added to the schedule on 3/24 when they had a team cancel out on them. Albany would use the opportunity to work on some of the fundamentals of the previous weeks practice. Albany forced the ball wide to the wings stringing on RPI defense and then recycling and doing the same again. This tired RPI and mistakes in the defensive formation allowed Albany to put up 35 points.
Albany and SU both playing a split side game [SU first XV at Cherry Blossom Tournament and Albany's 7s squad an UNH Tournament] Albany used its experience and depth to wear down SU's fiesty side. Albany's key was being able to penetrate SU up the middle and then spinning the ball wide to score, Albany 42 SU 12.
Albany travels to Bentley University for 6:00PM Friday Night Lights. Bentley is a USA Rugby D2 tournament qualifier.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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.
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.
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