Lobos Top Pygmies in Rugby Try Fest

Right: NMT co-captain Steve Graves soars for a lineout throw supported by Brendan La Counte (obscured, behind Graves) and Nick Falcone (#8). Photo by Dave Wheelock.

SOCORRO, N.M., April 13, 2008 – The University of New Mexico Rugby Club defended their pitch against New Mexico Tech at Johnson Field on Saturday, April 14, in a wild 40-34 score fest. The Lobos assaulted the Pygmy line with eight five-point tries, yet a disparity in two-point conversion kicking success kept Tech within reach until the final whistle. New Mexico Tech kickers Matt Nelson and Dustin Webb converted all four of their team’s tries plus two penalty goals, while a host of Lobos remarkably came away empty from the tee.

New Mexico Tech’s seven backs and eight forwards appeared to be on different pages for much of this match. While the forwards consistently won ball possession from scrums, lineouts, and rucks, Tech’s backs had trouble getting through in attack or stopping a talented line of Lobo backs.

The match opened with New Mexico Tech’s forwards methodically driving near the UNM line, only to have the ball pop loose into the waiting arms of the Lobos’ Walter Kirunda. The speedy wing covered the length of the field to score a try untouched after only three minutes of play.

Left: University of New Mexico players (in red) maul the ball (visible in center) forward as New Mexico Tech players (L to R) John Rundberg, Bart Hegarty, and Matt Kretz resist the drive. Photo by Dave Wheelock.

After the missed conversion attempt the Pygmy forwards went back to work and after 12 minutes hooker Mike Anguti was driven over the line by his mates. Standoff Matt Nelson kicked the two-point conversion for a 7-5 NMT lead.

UNM’s slick-passing backs proved too much for their counterparts three more times in the first half, scoring tries at 17 and 25 minutes before once again benefiting from a Tech turnover just before the halftime whistle. The Pygmies’ sole response came as a three-point kick by Nelson after a penetrating run by center Dustin Webb pressured a Lobo player into illegal use of hands. UNM led at halftime 20-10.

UNM scored four more tries in the second frame, only one from a distance of less than 50 meters. At 13 minutes captain Jay Herrera scored a try for Tech following some strong surges by his forwards, and at 25 minutes lock and co-captain Steve Graves dove across after joining his fellow forwards in a protracted series of short straight-ahead runs that brought the ball within inches of the Lobo try line. Sophomore Dustin Webb took over goal-kicking duties from Nelson in the second spell and was successful with both try conversions plus a three-point penalty goal following a powerful run by flanker Britt Catron at the 27-minute mark.

Right: Marcus Chavez (left) prepares to tackle a UNM runner as teammate Dustin Webb closes in from behind. Photo by Dave Wheelock.

UNM led 40-27 late in the match, but Tech nearly clawed back. From a drive deep into Tech territory, the ball was ripped free from a Lobo runner in a tackle and Tech inside center and co-captain Royce Beaudry came up with it. Beaudry lofted and then retrieved a short chip kick behind the Lobo defense, and his short pass to Jordan Fastle set the wing in flight up the left touch line. UNM’s whippet-like Kirunda gave dramatic chase over 65 meters, but could not close on Fastle, who slid into the corner for the third try of his rookie season. Webb’s kick made it 40-34 and the Pygmies were still in the hunt; a converted try would see them through by one point. But the final whistle went first and the Pygmies’ spring record fell to four wins, two losses, and one draw. Michael Anguti was selected by his teammates as Tech’s Man of the Match.

New Mexico collegiate teams are idle this weekend (April 19 - 20) as the United States Rugby Union stages the national men’s and women’s collegiate playoffs in Albuquerque. Forty-eight Division One and Two teams comprising 1500 collegiate athletes will converge on the Balloon Fiesta Grounds for a feast of top flight college rugby from Friday, April 18, through Sunday, April 20. Admission is $10 per day or $25 for the three-day event. Further information can be obtained from the USA Rugby website at usarugby.org. New Mexico State University, collegiate representative of New Mexico’s Rio Grande Rugby Union, was eliminated in an earlier round of championship play.

New Mexico Tech will return to action in Socorro April 26 when they will entertain the Santa Fe Rugby Club in their last home match of the spring season.

-NMT-

New Mexico Tech Sports Schedules

Spring 2008