MEN'S RUGBY

HANOVER, N.H. - Norwich traveled to Hanover this past Saturday to take on No. 22 Dartmouth, and the Big Green overcame some early mistakes to defeat the "Wick" 56-5.

Dartmouth got its offense going at the six-minute mark, taking a 5-0 lead from an unconverted try.

Norwich was unable to get any offensive punch of its own going, and Dartmouth scored five more unanswered tries to take a commanding 32-0 lead into halftime.

Norwich came out in the second half determined to fight back and learn from its first half miscues. The "Wick's" defense held, and at the 10th minute center Matt Burke intercepted a Dartmouth pass and scampered ahead for the try. Todd Howe's conversion hit the crossbar, leaving the score 32-5.

Shortly after, Dartmouth's offense got going again, scoring a converted try to bring the score to 39-7. The Big Green added two more tries to bring the score to 44- 5.

Norwich brought in sophomore flanker/hooker Tim Chun and freshman Bryon Steuber to gain first side experience.

Norwich started to get its attack going from good movement to winger Matt Samson, but he was held up near the try line. It looked as if Norwich was to score its second try of the day from a five-meter lineout and a surge from junior prop Jamie Corcoran, but just inches from the try line Norwich was whistled for not releasing.

Dartmouth closed out the scoring with two more tries bringing the final score to 56-5.

"This young club is still developing as a team against some outstanding opponents," said head coach Bob Weggler. "Our short-comings have been our point of contact, particularly our tackling form."

The Norwich ruggers return home this weekend when they host 19th-ranked Boston College. The match is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.