Sports News
Contact: Scott C. Miller
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April 26, 2007
Men's Rugby: Dartmouth 43 Norwich 10
Northfield, VT - After a two-and-a-half week layoff from its previous match and limited outdoor practice, the Wick displayed some rust from the outset. Although it looked like NU might score first, some poor ball-handling near the try line denied them the opportunity. Dartmouth’s pattern of play quickly got into gear as its scrum half went weak side for the first score of the match. Dartmouth's next two tries also came from backline breaks through Norwich’s weak side. After 18 minutes of play Dartmouth was up 19-0. The Big Green's forward surge set up the last try of the half to bring the score to 26-0.
In the second half, the Cadets fought back. Dartmouth scored three
tries to Norwich’s two. The Wick’s first try came from
winger Dustin Fontanilla, which was set up by excellent
ball-handling and evasive running from winger Erik Melanson
and fly half Milton Rehbein.
The Cadets' second try of the half resulted from outstanding running
by Randy Bielski, who cut across Dartmouth’s
defense and squirted up the touch-line to the corner of the in-goal.
At the final whistle the Big Green claimed the victory, 43-10.
This match ends Norwich’s 2007 developmental spring season. Many newcomers gained valuable experience that will benefit Norwich’s league season this fall.
Three players, junior center/winger Dustin Fontanilla, sophomore prop Brad Panasiti and sophomore fullback Matt Burke were selected to the Vermont Collegiate Select Side. They will play this Saturday in the NERFU Collegiate All-Star competition held at Mystic River RFC facility in Malden, Mass. This leads up to the USA Rugby Collegiate All-American Championships that take place in Rochester, NY the weekend of June 9.
