New Mexico Tech Ruggers Second in Arizona

by Dave Wheelock, Rugby Director

SOCORRO, N.M., Oct. 11, 2006 -- New Mexico Tech's men's rugby club played closer to their potential than they have all season at the Northern Arizona Tens tournament in Flagstaff, losing Sunday's [Oct. 8] championship match to Arizona State University 32-10. NMT climbed into the final by winning two of three games Saturday and their semifinal match Sunday morning.

The Pygmies had lost four of their first five autumn matches against more experienced foes. In Flagstaff they took full advantage of the greater proportion of experienced starters the ten-man game affords (traditional rugby features fifteen-player squads), outscoring their opponents 140 points to 79.

Tech opened with a 39-7 win over Arizona State University III. ASU, which boasts over 60 players in its men's rugby program, entered its top team in the open collegiate division and two more sides in the small college competition. The NMT forwards overpowered their opposites in attack and defense, providing numerous scoring opportunities for their backline colleagues. Freshman center Royce Beaudry scored the first of Tech's 20 tries in the tournament, and was subsequently joined by Jay Herrera, captain Seth Daly, Theo Hosemann, Matt Nelson, and fellow rookie Josh Hill.

Eventual division champions ASU II then brought the Pygmies to earth with a comprehensive 29-6 defeat. After taking a 7-0 halftime lead the five-man Arizona forward pack wore their rivals down and ASU's talented backs did the rest, tacking on four second-half tries for the win. Tech could manage only two three-point penalty kicks from Daly.

In Saturday's nightcap Tech clawed into the semifinals with an emphatic 36-5 win over a Flagstaff team playing under the name Tuba City Carps. Prop Brent Meins scored his first try of the season and was joined in the first half by Nelson and fellow front-rower Nick McCarthy. Nelson touched down a second time in the second half, and Tech's hardworking scrumhalf Jay Herrera helped himself to a pair of touchdowns to close out the day's scoring.

Sunday morning saw a sore Tech squad again take on ASU III, who had finished third after Saturday's round. Powerhouse forward Dylan Merrigan was forced out of Sunday's competition by injury, while fellow big men Tom Dotson and Britt Catron played despite reminders of the prior day's action. ASU was nevertheless dispatched 39-7 as the Pygmies sensed the title match. Tech's six tries were touched down by Beaudry, Herrera, Daly, Theo Hosemann, Hill, and Nelson.

One hour later New Mexico Tech lined up against ASU II for what was to be a hotly contested small college championship. On an ASU penalty two minutes into the match, Tech took a gamble on running for a try rather than kicking at goal, but were turned away by strong tackling. ASU's forwards slowly regained their dominance in ball possession, and 16 minutes into the 25-minute first half, ASU's scrumhalf finally dove over for a short-range try.

ASU then added two more tries to lead 17-0 at the half.

Two well-worked tries in the second half's opening minutes opened ASU's lead to 27-0, threatening a route. But Tech battled back and forced a penalty after seven minutes, from which Daly booted a three-pointer. Tech continued to press and was awarded a second penalty two minutes later 15 yards from the ASU line. Catron smashed ahead to within five yards and then laid the ball back perfectly for McCarthy to scoop up and score. Daly's kick improved Tech's prospects to 27-10 with fifteen minutes to go and the game's intensity heightened. Tech continued to hammer away but it was ASU center Brian Thompson who made the decisive run as time expired for ASU's 32-10 championship victory.

The Pygmies chose lock Tom Dotson as their Man of the Day Saturday and fullback Matt Nelson for his play Sunday.

The team will next see action Friday, October 20 against the New Mexico Tech alumni team, the Ancestors. Kickoff will be at 4:15 at the NMT athletic ground.

-NMT-