By Jessie Giffon
Rotunda ReporterVirginia Rugby Union (VRU) and Mid-Atlantic RFU (MARFU) Champion Longwood University (LU) and USA Rugby South Champion University of West Florida (UWF) clashed in Knoxville, Tenn. under grey skies to determine who the final team would be in the upcoming National Men's Division III Championship semifinals, scheduled for April 30 in Virginia Beach, Va.
LU came "out of the gate" on fire and flanker TJ Van Patten scored a try in the first minute on a strong 25-meter run. Fullback Eric "Prancer" Minor converted the try. Then just 7 minutes later, power runner Ben "Baseball" Smith broke through West Florida's defense to put LU up by 12-0. UWF finally got it going on the front foot, but more often than not tried using tactical kicking by their flyhalf Nate Swartz attempting to open up the Longwood defense. The LU back three of Jesse Kelly, Dan Waite and Minor were up to the challenge and handled the high kicks in the windy conditions very well. Swartz did notch a penalty goal midway through the first half. The half ended 12-3 in favor of Longwood.
UWF's scrappy style of play began to pay off in the second half. An early try and conversion brought them within two points at 12-10. LU's defense up the middle of flankers Van Patten and "Karl" Connelly, hooker Jimmy Bittner, flyhalf Preston Leep, scrumhalf Justin "Red Card" Singer and #8 Frostt Salem along with the back three to handling the tactical kicks kept the opposition out of the try zone.
At the 56th minute, Ben Smith again broke away from a tackle attempt and scored a try. The conversion made it 19-10. Seven minutes later, outside center Jaye Kennedy, found the goal line and dotted down a try to give Longwood a 24-10 lead. UWF did not quit and their pressure finally paid off with a try by their speedster wing Chris Scott. Swartz's difficult angle conversion attempt was good and all of a sudden UWF was back in the hunt at 24-17. LU answered almost immediately with a try 3 minutes later by freshman Matt "Lion Paw" Marino to close out the scoring.
Final score: Longwood 31, West Florida 17. Bittner was named man-of-the-match for his outstanding contributions on the day.
The team travels to Virginia Beach Friday, April 29 to play in the National Final. On April 30, LU will play Salve Regina College (Rhode Island) in a semi-final game at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex at 11 a.m. Finals will be on Sunday. For more information, visit longwoodrugby.org
Emily Laura runs against VMI during last weekend's rugby match.
