Bulldogs in national media

The Albany Bulldogs are the featured club on RugbyRugby.com this week. The Bulldogs are enjoying a fine season in their third year of play. The Bulldogs travel to Kingston for an important Capital District Youth Rugby League contest. The Bulldogs suffered their first loss on the 15th to Berkshire United.

Rookie Rugby Kicks off at UAlbany

Capital District Youth Rugby, in conjunction with the University at Albany Men’s rugby Team, kicked off the inaugural season of Rookie Rugby for the Albany, NY area. The program, designed for grades 1-8, attracted 20+ participants. The young ruggers went through a series of game like drills culminating in touch scrimmages. When asked about the program, Ada’s Mother Margaret replied “Ada loved it & can't wait for next week!”.


Volunteer coaches are UAlbany players and coaches. The program runs for 6 weeks on Saturdays from 10:00am – 11:15am. Cost is $30.00 per player and includes Game shirt, and participation award. If you would like more information on the program please contact John Durant at youthrugby@ymail.com .

Danes Upend Union, 25-5

The Danes traveled to Schenectady, NY for the final test of the year in a Wednesday afternoon contest at Union’s historic pitch. The Danes started out with good pace and execution but fell in to disorganization as Union got on the board first with a long run down the sideline by #14 Jason Either. Union would continually knock on the door but stingy defense kept them out. Union pressure kept up inside the ten meter line but an overzealous forward was whistled up for over the top. Cono Cirone took a quick tap penalty and two passes later fullback Alex Wilman was off for 90 meters and paydirt.

The second half showed Albany at it’s best. They were able to stretch the defense by spinning ball to the wing and took advantage of keeping Union on the back foot. Mike Cyr [center] would score next under the left post. Lock James Wrynn would add a score as the result of a truck and trail inside the Union 15. Winger Jack Reissman took a score in from another quick tap penalty and James Richards would finish it off with a scamper down the right sideline ,from just past the 50 , to seal the deal and ending with a four game win streak

The Albany All ”B”lacks tied Union, 5-5. Albany again gave up the first try as Union winger Paul Earp sprinted in to the far corner to down the ball. Albany would counter when Lock Matt Zappala would score off the base of a ruck. Per coach’s orders ryan Sweet attempted a drop kick, instead of place kick, and it sailed wide. The Albany second side showed great improvement over the course of the spring and look to supply the first side with plenty of talent for the fall New York State Rugby Conference season.

Alumni Down Danes

The UAlbany Legends downed the Danes in the 2009 version of the annual alumni game. The Danes proved to be a tough opponent. The older and wiser alum were able to keep the ball tight and utilize their strength to control the game's tempo.

Alumni Legend Joe"Crab" Szalay, scorfed a bunch of tries. Rob Dapaah flew in from Sweden to play on the wing. Coaches John Durant, Pete Zilgme and Dave Farison all doned the boots to take their lumps and heckles from the young lads. Roughly 40 alum spectated or took part in the day's main event.

Special thanks go out to all the alumni and friends who make the yearly pilgramage to Albany. Always the first weekend in May, former UA ruggers flock to the city like concert goers flocked to Woodstock. If you hold it they will come and they do every year. With these dedicated gentlemen , who play the hooligan game, the club has reached the 35 year plateau and is stronger than ever with close to 60 players on the current roster and playing D1 rugby.

Danes 24 - Paul Smiths College 14

The Danes took on Paul Smiths College in a friendly at UAlbany. PSC came out tough and used their strengtht to control much of the tempo in the first half. Albany began posting plays off inside center Mike Cyr and running the forwards off rucks to wear down the big PSC side. UA flyhalf, Josh Clevenger, kept a methodical approach by pounding the center with his forward and working the wings into the game and spreading PSC thin. UA 's Jake Touhey would score off of a nifty play down in the PSC zone.

The second half saw replacement fullback from the UK, Alex Wilman, use his change of pace to bust through the PSC defense for long scores and nearly a third if it was not for a mishandle. PSC regrouped as flanker Chris Cafferty intercepted the UA scrum half /flyhalf exchange to score under the posts. Albany would counter with Touheys second try of the game to put it on ice,

Rugby Weekend - Friday

Scene of the Crime- Evergreen Country Club, Offense- horrilble golf, result - a lot of fun. Although the rugby contingent were unable to keep the strokes down the old addage, I got my money's worth was the rule of the day. 16 alumni ran rough shot over the course only to falter and plead mercy at the famed island green. The good walk ruined was saved since all took carts.

Hall of Fame Events /reception were relocated from the Across the Street Pub to the greener pastures of Loudonville, NY. The host, Rosemarie "Tiddles" Durant pulled the ultimate coup by blindsiding her husband for his suprise 50th birthday party. The shocked Durant was also inducted in the Club's Hall of Fame with fellow UAlbany players Andy Lee and Wences Rodriguez.

Wences Rodriguez, #8, was a huge force as an extremely tough runner and nearly unstoppable near the goal line. Rodriguez played for the Danes in the late 70's.

Andy Lee, #9, was the man who put razzle in razzle dazzle. Moving from offensive line on the football team to center on the rugby club showed tremendous versitility and was another member of the Danes late 70's juggernaut.

John Durant, #8, used his skill honed on the gridiron for the Danes moved to rugby in the spring and used the same run into 'em and knock 'em down style. Durant would also move on as coach of the rugby club shortly after his Dane's playing career ended in 1982 and is still at the helm.