Danes Upend UConn 50-5

9-29/12
Albany, NY-The Danes came out pedal to the metal and never let up rolling up 50 points against the UConn Huskies in an East Coast Rugby Conference match up.  Albany got on board first when #15 Joe Mandell slotted a penalty 2min into the first half.  From that point on it was all Danes.  Albany tries by Kimmins[2],Barends, Scofield, Russo,Nykawamba and Codero sealed the deal.  Mandell converted 6 of 7 conversions and a penalty for 15 points total.
Albany takes a week off from 15s to prepare for the East Coast Rugby Conference Sevens to be held 10/6/12 in Amesbury,MA.  The Danes were runner ups in 2011 and look to make a strong showing in 2012.  The Danes have put in a lot of work by competeing last spring in Las Vegas and the Collegiatte Sevens Series. 

.

Albany Staves Off BC Comeback Bid

Taken from Rugby Magazine http://rugbymag.com/men's-di-college/5861-albany-staves-off-bc-comeback-bid.html Written by Pat Clifton Saturday, 22 September 2012 17:01

Albany rebounded from a close loss against AIC in the East Coast’s opening weekend of play to edge Boston College 29-22 Saturday. BC favored a pack-heavy attack, while Albany scored most of its tries on the perimeter. “They were able to pick and go a lot and set up a lot of good scores with some 10-man rugby,” said Albany coach John Durant of BC, “and our backs had a lot of good speed, so we were able to convert open field opportunities.” The Eagles didn’t help themselves with a penalty-laden first half highlighted by a red card to their starting blindside flanker near the five-minute mark, and Albany held a 17-8 halftime advantage. But BC bounced back in the second half and, in the last 10 minutes, had the chance to both take the lead and tie it with possession inside Albany’s 22, but knock-ons ended the threats. “Credit to Albany. They played a really good game, and they took advantage of some of the other penalties that we had,” said BC coach Jeff Monfett. “They took it to us in the first half, but we came back and we had our opportunities. We had our chances at the end of the game to win it, or at least tie it up, and it didn’t happen for us.” The result leaves both Albany and Boston College 1-1 in league play.

Yellow Jackets Sting Danes in Injury Time

September 14, 2012, Springfield,MA-The AIC Yellow Jackets beat UAlbany in injury time at Ronald J. Abdow Field 25 -20 in the East Coast Rugby Conference opener.  This was a spirited, hard hitting match with both teams trying to use their half backs pace.  7:51 in, Albany’s Herno Smith would touch down first from a driving maul started from a line out 18 meters out.  From that point on AIC and Albany would spar by  punching in scores ; AIC- Jamal Hadley and Tyler Nawrocki, Albany-Ryan Grant.  Half 10-10

The second half was a thriller with AIC’s Corey Newton’s try and Nawrocki adding a conversion and penalty kick to go up 10.  Albany would strike back with two unconverted tries;Kimmins and Aisi.  With less than a minute to go on the game clock and the score knotted at 20s Albany mis-played the kickoff AIC gained possession and did not relinquish it.  One ruck, an Albany penalty and 9 rucks later AIC’s Jamal Hadley would dot down his second of the day in injury time.  A huge win for AIC, their first in D1-AA, and a crushing loss for Albany who were a conversion and stop away from victory.
Photo courtesy of Chase Stoffle

Danes roll in final preseason game

9/8/12
Albany, NY- The Danes traveled to Albany's south end for a preseason game vs NERFU D2 Club
Albany Knickerbocker RFC "B". Making the best out of a late schedule change for both clubs the Danes used their pace in the back line to roll up the points. Aisi, Grant, Optis and Russo all dotted the line as well as #8 Newell.

The Danes travel to Springfield, MA to face #25 AIC in the East Coast Rugby Conference opener Friday night. AIC is coming off a big preseason win at Yale while Albany has split results vs college competition by beating Syracuse U and losing on the road at Brown U.

Danes Train with Albany Knickerbocker RFC

Albany, NY - UAlbany participated in a joint practice with the Albany Knickerbocker Rugby Club this evening.  21 UA players took part in drills for 45 minutes and then scrimmaged the Knicks.  UA faired quite well in the scrimmage.  UA was able to create space in the backline which the Knicks defense had trouble containing.  The Knicks larger, more experienced pack worked the fringes for some s, uccessful possessions.  All in all a good day for the UA who had the opportunity to face a side who runs things at a quicker pace.  Hopefully this will improve UA's game.

Many thanks to the Knick's players and staff for this opportunity.  Nice to see Albany Alumni playing with Knicks; Cono Cirone, Philip Ayoreh and Ryan Sweet.

RPI Scrimmage

9/3/12
Rensselaer,NY- The Danes traveled to Capital District rival RPI for a scrimmage which ended in a 15-15 draw. The first XV came out with a vengeance and was able to control the pace of the game. Albany got scores from McNamara, Tumbasolan and Barends to take a 15-5 lead into the final 10 minutes. Albany's Third's took over from there and did not fare well giving up two scores. Albany's coach Durant stated "We got to work on some things with our top 25 pool in which we did some good and not so good things. The Third's were overmatched but the most important thing for them is to get actual game time."

Albany's preseason efforts continue tonight with a joint practice/ scrimmage with the Albany Knicks RFC.

Brown Beats Danes, 29-19

 

9/1/12
Providence, RI- Albany traveled to Providnece,RI to face Brown University in a non league contest.  Albany would weather a potent Brown attack for most of the first half but Brown's pressure offense would score 3 tries sandwiched around one Albany try biy #8 Adrian Newell.  Fly half Anthony Russo would clear the line some 10 minutes later but was unable to down the ball as it was knocked forward in his attempt. 

Albany picked up the intensity in the second half starting with a score by Mike Optis.  Optis beat the Brown defense after taking spin ball and racing to the corner.  McNamara would convert the try.

Albany travels to RPI Monday evening for a contest against Capital District rival RPI.  Tuesday features a joint practice and scrimmage with the Albany Knickerbocker Rugby Club.