Danes Level Law

Albany, NY. The Dane’s wrapped up their pre-conference schedule by hosting cross town foes, Albany Law School. The Dane’s started quick with 8 man Anthony Russo making a break off of the opening kick off and feeding #10 Jeff Lahens for a score in the corner 25 seconds into the game. 7 minutes later the duo would strike again this time Russo would score the try and Lahens converted. Lahens would close the first half scoring with a nice dummy and keep into the try zone. Danes 17 – Law 0.

Albany Law picked up their level in the second half with Joe Zapone scoring as the result of some nice Law rucks. The Dane’s would answer 3 time with #9 Mo Aisi scored off a weakside scrum move, #15 Dylan Gandy’s counter off of a Law clearing kick and Kimmins nifty run through the Law defense. Former Dane center, Mike Tedesco would close all scoring with a long run up the sideline for his current Law team to notch Law’s 10th point of the game. Final; Danes 32-Law 10.

The Dane’s controlled the scrum downs which made a great platform for attack. #10 Jeff Lahens was able to take the ball on the run and create pressure on Law’s back line. The Dane’s also controlled the breakdowns, allowing for a multi phased attack. All and all a good effort by the Danes.

Game notes: Dane Alumni Mike Tedesco [center] and Matt Zappala[#8] both suited up for the Law side. Mike is finishing his third year and Matt is in his first semester. The Danes B side lsot 10-0 to Law with many raw rookies in the line up. The Danes start East Coast Rugby Conference play next Saturday when they travel to Storrs, CT to face Uconn.

Danes Handle Hudson Valley B, 46-0

Kingston,NY- The Danes' Purple side traveled to Kingston to take on the Hudson Valley Rugby Club's second side in another pre-season match up for Albany. Anthony Russo led off the Albany scoring with a take off of ruck ball inside the HV 10. HV would try and counter with gutsy forward play that enabled them to maintain possession for a good 15 mins but were unable to punch it in against the stingy Albany defense. Albany gained the ball after a clearing kick was muffed and Dan McNamarra grabbed it on the run to feed Justin Barends who sprinted in 22 meters for the score. Mo Aisi would add a score to close the half with nifty outside of the foot grubber which he scooped and scored. Albany 17-0 at the half.

The second half was all Albany. HV could not match Albany's fitness and outside half speed. Russo (2), Lahens, Newell, and Henrguez would all score off of breakouts from hsyt inside the 50. 46-0 final.

The Danes' Black side traveled to Troy, NY to play RPI's B and one a nailbiter, 24-23. Game details not available at time of stroy.

Danes lose at combine to Brown, 64-0

The Great Danes traveled to Providence,RI for a combined session and game with Brown University Saturday. Brown U and former US U19 coach David LaFlamme put Albany through some contact drills. Albany was instructed in the system that Brown uses and that is used in the US Eagles program. Players gained a higer level of understanding as to what is needed to be done to become a top US rugby program.

Unfortunately the undermanned Albany side was no match for Brown on the pitch. Brown's big men slashed through the Albany defense creating great space for their backline to work with. Several Albany players showed great effort but could not stay with Brown. Final, Brown 64- Albany 0.

RPI Routs Albany, 36-20

Troy, NY – RPI routed rival UAlbany Thursday in a early season non conference match up, 36-20. RPI’s combination of fly half Kevin Stolle and 8 man Mike Taglifirro accounted for all of ROI’s points. Stolle started the scoring as he found a seem in Albany’s defense and scored under the posts after a 30 meter run. Taglifirro followed by picking up a ball off of an Albany turnover and scampering 30 meters untouched to paydirt. Albany’s outside wing Ryan Grant’s score in the corner gave Albany hope for a comeback. However, a costly Albany penalty enabled the strong footed Stolle to convert a PK to end the half at 24-5.

Albany came out fired up for the second half with 8 man Anthony Russo scoring for Albany early in the half. Albany would notch another score by Mo Aisi with a nice break down the sideline. Momentum stalled for Albany as RPI dynamic duo would add 14 points off of two Talifirro tries and 2 Stolle conversions. Albany’s Dylan Gandy would add a late score for Albany. Albany coach John Durant’s was impressed with RPI”s level of play “10 and 8 completely controlled the game. RPI played hard and deserved the win. My boys were had good preparation coming into the game but were mentally out of it after Stolle’s first score. We mad a ton of offensive mistakes that cost us dearly.”

Stolle’s 4 conversions ,penalty kick and a try gave him 12 points on the nigh but could not match his running mate, Taglifirro’s hat trick of 3 tries for a 15 point total.

Albany Notes: Albany takes to the road this Saturday for a combined practice and scrimmage with the IVY’s Brown University. The Danes’s are using this rigorous pre league schedule to prepare for their inaugural season in the newly formed East Coast Rugby Conference.