Pygmies Upend Lobos 25 - 12

Right: NMT center Royce Beaudry fights through a hand-off to tackle a UNM ball carrier in the Pygmies' 25-12 victory Saturday. Photo credit: Dylan Merrigan

SOCORRO, N.M., Oct. 1, 2007 – Playing their first home match of the fall season, the New Mexico Tech Rugby Club on Saturday claimed a 25-12 victory over the University of New Mexico. The Pygmies played disciplined defense to raise their record to nine wins against two losses.

With the loss of several key players from their appearance last year in the "Sweet Sixteen" tournament of U.S. Rugby's Collegiate Division One, a less experienced Lobos team found themselves unable to cope with Division Two New Mexico Tech's balanced attack.

Stifling fifteen-man defense led by loose forwards Nick Falcone and Britt Catron and inside center Royce Beaudry, gave the Pygmies the upper hand in the contest for ball possession and resulted in a steady wave of attacking moves. After twenty minutes senior outside center Matt Nelson opened Tech's account with a three-point penalty kick from 30 meters. The Lobos managed to score the game's first five-point try after 35 minutes when Pat Radabaugh banged over from short range. The conversion kick was unsuccessful. Just before halftime Tech flyhalf James Fallt chip-kicked into the Lobo try zone and Beaudry streaked ahead to down it for a five-pointer. Tech took an 8 - 5 lead into the halftime break.

The home team used a moderate breeze in the second half to kick for field advantage and then turn up the pressure on the Lobos. Five minutes into the half Fallt, supporting a passing attack along the right touchline, popped a pass to Jarret Grout running into a defensive gap. The rookie wing had 35 meters of clear sailing and touched the ball down to widen Tech's lead to 13-5. At fifteen minutes the Pygmies suffered a rare defensive lapse allowing Joe Hart a long run to threaten the try line. A saving tackle by Dustin Webb was adjudged dangerously high and a penalty try was awarded. The successful conversion kick brought UNM back into the game, 13-12.

Twenty minutes from full time Tory Tadano, recovered from a leg injury, came on for Tech and immediately stamped his impression on the match. Matt Nelson's pass found the veteran fullback coming into the backline, and Tadano expertly lured the defense before dishing to Webb steaming up the left touchline. Webb's try, converted by Nelson, put Tech in front 20-12 with twenty minutes to go. Eight minutes later Tech's forwards once again maintained ball possession through several tackles and the speedy Tadano broke through the Lobo's first line of defense. Hardworking scrumhalf Jay Herrera was rewarded for his hustle in support as he took Tadano's pass to score from 20 meters and close out Tech's 25 - 12 victory.

First-year player Isaiah Sanchez was chosen Tech's man of the match for his spirited and skillful play at fullback and wing. The Pygmies, idle the weekend of Oct. 6 in preparation for midterm exams, return to action Oct. 13 against the San Juan Silverbacks in Farmington, New Mexico.

-NMT-