| DRFC Shows Promise in Dartmouth Classic
Saturday: McGill University of Montreal scored a 33-10 victory over Dartmouth, and the Canadian schools made it two for two when Queen's of Ontario edged Penn State 21-18 in overtime Saturday at the Noble Group Dartmouth Rugby Classic in New Hampshire. The Big Green opened the action on Day One against the visitors from Quebec and it was the home team who got on the board first when Nick Stack '06 finished off a 50-meter movement by scoring an unconverted try in the corner following a Dartmouth lineout win on the halfway line. McGill hit back when one of their wingers scored a try that started from a lineout inside Dartmouth's half. The Montrealers converted for a 7-5 lead. McGill then had a man advantage for ten minutes when Dartmouth's All-American Joe Killefer was binned for a professional foul at the breakdown. The advantage paid off as McGill scored another converted try to take a 14-5 lead. Killefer rejoined the fray and immediately the Big Green answered with a try resulting from sustained counter attack to close the gap to 10-14. However, just before the half, McGill was awarded a penalty try for a Dartmouth high tackle and the Quebecers took a handy 21-10 lead into the main break. The scores remained unchanged through the opening stages of the second half until Dartmouth botched a touch finder after being awarded a penalty, and McGill seized the moment. The Canadian school countered well and finished things off with their fourth try of the game and a 26-10 scoreline. Despite the Big Green throwing everything at the visitors, it was McGill who punched in the final score when Dartmouth's halfback had a pass deflected close to his own try line and a McGill player caught the loose ball to trot in under the posts. The conversion was good and McGill ended the scoring at 33-10. In the second game, it was nip and tuck all the way before Queen's of Kingston, Ontario finally broke an 18-18 deadlock in overtime with a successful penalty goal to pip Penn State. Sunday: Queen's University of Kingston, Ontario, has won the inaugural Noble Group Dartmouth Classic in New Hampshire with a 21-8 victory over fellow Canadian university McGill in Sunday's Final. Queen's was the only unbeaten team of the tournament, going 2-0, while McGill of Montreal, Quebec, posted a 1-1 record. Sunday's victory followed a penalty goal overtime win by Queen's against Penn State on Saturday. In the Consolation match, the Nittany Lions proved too good for hosts Dartmouth winning 29-15. Penn State, who led 22-0 at halftime, ran in five tries to three to finish with a 1-1 record, while Dartmouth was winless. The Big Green opened the game with some enterprising attack that saw them pressing the opposition try zone, but solid defense by Penn State kept them out. The first fifteen minutes of the contest produced no points, but then PSU put together some multi-phase possessions that resulted in them driving into the far corner for the first try of the game. Ten minutes later, Penn State won a lineout from where the ball went to US U19 scrumhalf Nic Grala, who grubber kicked towards the in-goal where his free-running winger grounded the ball for their second try. The score was converted for a 12-0 PSU lead. In the 35th minute, the Nittany Lions won another lineout and this time the ball was moved through their backs, who produced a looping move to score an unconverted try in the corner. Then just two minutes later, an attempted Dartmouth clearance kick was blocked and Penn State scooped up the loose ball to run in try number four. Desperate to get back in the game, Dartmouth started the second half with plenty of enthusiasm, although they were penalized for hands in the ruck. Penn State's All-American Mike Petri took a quick tap and fed his support players, who burst through a fractured Dartmouth defense for their fifth try of the afternoon. The extra points were good and PSU took a commanding 29-0 lead. The Big Green weren't about to give up though and their All-American Joe Killefer found some open space to gallop 30-meters to score Dartmouth's first try. Shortly after, Dartmouth was awarded a free kick, captain Jesse Blom '06 took a quick tap and dished to Killefer, who went on a 20-meter romp. Dartmouth recycled as Penn State was pinged for an infringement at the breakdown, allowing the home team to take another quick tap that resulted in a ruck and a pick-and-go try to prop Joe Boswell '06. Again the attempted conversion missed, but the scoreline had closed to 29-10. Late in the match, Dartmouth stole a PSU lineout on the halfway line and were able to control the ball as they drove down field to score the final try of the game. However, it was too late as Penn State emerged triumphant by 29-15. "Overall there was quality play for this early in the season with all teams benefiting from the experience," noted Dartmouth coach Alex Magleby. "All teams say they hit their established success points and goals for the weekend." All participants were rewarded for their efforts with a Noble Group Dartmouth Classic fine glass. Awards were also given to Consolation Champion Penn State, runners-up McGill, and Champions Queen's. Tom Kidera '07 |