Tech Rugby Routs Cannon Air Force Base

SOCORRO, N.M., March 8, 2004 -- It took New Mexico Tech a while to figure out the visiting Cannon Air Force Base Rugby team, but once they did it was off to the races in a 50-17 victory Sunday, March 7. The win was a measure of redemption following last week's 48-0 snub in Albuquerque by the Air Force Academy team.

On a glorious spring-like afternoon, the bulky Nomads were able to frustrate the Pygmies in the early going by repeatedly driving the ball straight up the field. The visitors even led five-nil after 21 minutes when Tory Tadano, temporarily on loan from Tech, spun out of a group of tightly-bound bodies and streaked 40 meters to score.

Although this rugby match between a university team with a 30-year history and a fledgling military team a few players short of a full side of fifteen was played in the friendly spirit of the game, the irony of a teammate scoring against them was not lost on the Pygmies. Four minutes later captain Mark Kelly received a pass from a tapped penalty close to the Nomads' line, and flipped a short pass to Paul Quintana as he was tackled. Quintana did the rest for a try converted by Patrick Simons.

There were no more scores for the remaining 25 minutes of the half, but the Nomads found themselves increasingly on the defensive as Tech's superior fitness began to tell. Rob Harrison, making his debut at flank forward, was conspicuously effective jumping for the lineout throws of David Yazzie.

In the second half Tech exploded for 43 points, while Cannon could manage only 12. After only a minute Tech's massive prop forward Alex Bourandas drove forward with a loose ball and popped a perfect pass to Kelly as he was tackled. It was 30 meters of smooth sailing for the captain, and the reliable Simons nailed the conversion for a 14-5 lead.

Four minutes into the half a backline hiccup cost the home team seven points when the ball bounced off Mike Bauer's chest and into the arms of the hard-charging Cedric Killings. Although Tadano, now back in the Tech fold, gave chase, there was no catching the churning Killings, and the Nomads were still dangerously close at 14-12.

As the Nomads began to tire under relentless Tech pressure, Tech's David Yazzie broke loose from the back of a ruck, slipped a tackle, and beat the cover defense to increase Tech's lead to 19-12.

Although Tech's backline scoring leader Pat Simons had to sit down at this stage due to a lingering illness, his backline teammates kept the faith. At fourteen minutes a Tech passing movement pierced the defense at midfield and finished when first-year man Matt Nelson unloaded to the slippery-running Tadano for seven. Tech 24, Cannon 12.

Tech's captain Mark Kelly showed his versatility by coming on for Simons in the flyhalf position, where he directed his backs effectively and punished Cannon's backs with well-placed kicks. The Nomads were pressured into a penalty with 19 minutes to play and Kelly was rewarded with a try after a quickly-tapped penalty and run. Tech's lead stretched to 31-12, and then 38-12 with the day's spectacular play two minutes later.

Awarded a penalty kick near the left touch (out of bounds) line just inside his team's end of the field, Kelly unexpectedly booted a long kick toward the lightly-defended right side. Josh Hanson, playing the right wing in his first season for Tech, streaked down after the kick and did his part perfectly, swamping the lone defender and leaving the ball for teammate Mike Bauer to pick up and score easily. Tech 38, Cannon AFB 12.

Three minutes later Killings proved he was still dangerous with a weaving tour through weak Tech tackles, and scored a try converted by Nomads captain Pops Schweitzer, to close the gap to 38-17.

Any illusions about a Cannon victory were for naught, however, as Tech added the final twelve points on two tries. Powerful freshman center Matt Nelson put across an unconverted try after a penalty just minutes from full time, and just before the final whistle another freshman, scrumhalf Seth Daly, dove across from short range for the final 50-17 margin. Daly became the third Tech freshman to score in two weeks, as Hanson and Sage LaTorra each dotted down last Saturday against Brujos Rugby Club.

Tech's veteran all-rounder David Yazzie was selected recipient of the Irish Cup as man of the match by his coach and captains Kelly and Simons. The vote was close, as Tory Tadano was also recognized for his volunteerism at the unaccustomed hooker position on behalf of the visitors in the first half, and his fine running skills for the Pygmies in the second. And as usual, flanker Phillip Turner turned in a blinder with his 80 minutes of tireless tackling and rucking.

New Mexico Tech now breaks for midterm exams and spring break, returning to action in Alamosa, Colorado on March 27 versus Adams State University.