Busy weekend for Danes

The Danes, in memory of Alivia L, took to hanging banners, blowing up baloons, directing traffic and offering support to the Light the Night Walk held at the Crossings Park in Colonie, NY. Some 30+ ruggers spent the evening in support of the event before the All "B"lacks game Vs Albany Law on Saturday. The event supports Luekemia research.

The Danes in the second match against Law was a much closer battle than the first match losing to the visitors, 19-17, The Danes fell into a hole after Law capitalized on a couple of long runs to take a big lead. The Danes, Consisting of mainly freshman and sophmores began to get into the groove with an uptempo style that Law had some trouble adjusting to. 8 man Anthony Russo took a number of quick tap penalties to gains significant ground and set up wide side ball for flyhalf Josh Clevenger.

The Danes entire squad travels to Buffalo Saturday for a key New York State Rugby Conference tilt Vs, U Buffalo. UB Just defeated front runner Brockport in a big stadium game in Rochester, NY.

SU Hammers Danes,76-36

Syracuse, NY- SU put the hammer to the Danes this Saturday 76-36 in the second NYS Rugby Conferenced match for both teams. "Bajadita" , the Argentinian scrum technique, implemented by Syracuse proved to be the dominating factor in the match. Syracuse used the scrum effectively to set up weak side winger Sam Cunningham thruough the wide side to blast in for 2 scores. Any turn over Albany created was negated by the SU scrum. Albany managed to close the half still in striking distance with scores by Touhey and Tom Ambery.

The wheels fell of for Albany in the second half when SU went to the high ball which Albany misplayed three times directly resulting in 3 SU scores. Albany would fight offensively scoring on tries by Touhey, Wunder, Berry and Falatyn but could not contain the explosive SU attack.

Albany has a non-conference game Vs. Albany Law School in the 2nd game of a home and home and home series. Albany looks to heal up from a slew of shoulder injuries in the next 2 weeks before heading out to play UBuffalo.

Danes Bounce Binghamton, 24-7

Binghamton,NY- The UAlbany Great Danes bounce U Binghamton in the first New York State Rugby Conference Game for both teams , 24-7. It was a beautiful day for rugby in UB stadium field as the Danes came out determined. Albany started the scoring with Ryan Wunder driving in off of a maul for the try. Binghamton would answer after capitalizing on a misplayed Gary Own as Lock Evan Haber rumbled in off the ensuing ruck. The rest of the half was dominated by UAlbany with Albany scoring twice to take the half time lead of 19-7.

The second half saw Binghamton gain momentum with some spirited play and stretching the Albany defense with quick ball to the backs. Albany's defense showd to be up to the task by shutting the door on Binghamton numerous times. Albany would play a man down, due to yellow card, for 10minutes and was able to muster up a second score by hooker Ryan Wunder.

Albany travels to Syracuse U. on 9/20 to take on a tough SU squad looking to rebound from an opening day loss to SUNY Brockport.

Danes Rookies Fought the Law

UAlbany, NY- Danes Rookies fought the law [Albany Law] and the law one, 17-6. The Danes put out a side of players playing in their first or second game for the university and put forth great effort and determination to play tough against an older more experienced law side. the Danes controlled play for the majority of the first half with scrum half Brian Stonaker distributing the ball nicely between the crashing forwards and backs. Law got on the board first with former UAlbany center Mike Tedesco scoring for Law off a long break from a Dane turnover. Max Shelton would add another score for the law when he tighroped down the left sideline from a break just inside the half way line.

The second half saw the Danes backline get more into the mix. Neal Plummer and Moses Aisi found a good connection that provided them with some good forward movement. Aisi would slot 2 penalty kicks to bring the Danes within 6 points. Law would answer with a big forward charge resulting in a score in the corner by winger Justin Savage.

The entire Dane's squad travels for the first New York State Rugby Conference match with Binghamton University in the on campus stadium.

Danes volunteer for TOPSoccer

The Danes spent the morning before no league "B"s match vs Albany Law volunteering at the Latham Circle Soccer Club's TOPsoccer program in Latham, NY. Some 25 ruggers served as buddies for disabled soccer players from ages 7-19 years old.

The Tops program has some 30+ players and come out for 6 weeks each fall. The Danes were invited today as one of a select group that volunteers throughout the season, which includes the area high school varsity teams [Shaker High School] and the UAlbany Women's soccer team.
for Danes' coach John Durant stated " I am extremely proud of these gentlemen to take the time to volunteer early Saturday morning before a game for some and an off day for the others. They should great spirit and compassion in their efforts today."

Albany rally falls short at UMass, 30-34

9/5/09, Amherst, MA- The UAlbany Great Danes traveled to UMass Amherst for a non-league opener against the traditional NERFU powerhouse. The Danes backline showed the ability to score from anywhere on the field with long scores by the Ambery Brothers [Tom and Bryan], Dave Santander [2] and scrum half Jake Touhey. It was a sees saw battle in which UMass scrumhalf Peter Jones capatalized on the 14 Albany penalties to slot 5 penalty kicks and converted 2 tries.

Albany "B"s take on Albany Law at UAlbany on Saturday and the entire squad travels to Binghamton on Sunday for the first New York State Rugby Conference Game.

Purple Haze at Saratoga

8/29/09: The Purple Haze [UAlbany Rugby Alumni] teamed up with the University side to take on the Saratoga Rugby Club at Shenentaha Park in Balston Spa, NY on a super sloppy day. The Club side started things off with the A side coming up on top with a 7-0 score. The club's B side dropped the second half by a score of 12-0 and the Alumni finished things off with a 7-0 final.