MEN'S RUGBY

MANSFIELD, Conn. - The Norwich men's rugby team lost to Connecicut, 33-5, on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies jumped out with three points from a penalty kick five minutes into the match and never looked back.

The "Wick" got excellent clearing kicks from junior fullback Tom Hansen, as UConn used the wind to pin Norwich in its own end. There was excellent defense from the forwards at the scrum and the base of the ruck. Senior captain Peter Beamer led the pack with some intense tackling. The rest of the forward pack consisted of five sophomores, one junior and one freshman.

UConn scored its first try off a wing kick 15 minutes into the action to take an 8-0 lead. UConn continued to use the wind at its backs and retained possession in Norwich's zone. Freshman hooker Ryan Wunder stole one against the head at UConn's five-meter scrum and Tom Hansen relieved pressure with a kick.

This match featured increased ball possession by the "Wick" in loose play and at the set pieces.  However, due to changes in the lineup due to injuries and illness, it was Matt Burke's first start at scrumhalf and Ryan Molina's first start at flyhalf (both key positions for attacking play).

UConn's flyhalf broke through Norwich's second line of defense at the 29th minute of the half, bringing the score to 13-0.

The "Wick" came fighting right back. At UConn's next scrum at the 50-meter line, Norwich's backs came up hard and forced a turnover at the tackle. In support, junior second row A. J. Fitzpatrick picked and drove forward. This effort led to a five meter lineout for the "Wick", which they won, mauled ahead and flanker Brad Panasiti placed the ball down for the Norwich try. After 32 minutes of play the score stood at 13-5.

Six minutes into the second half, junior standout flanker Brad Panasiti bruised his thigh and freshman Bryon Steuber entered the match. An already depleted squad seemed to lose its spirit. UConn scored two quick tries to bring the score to 23-5. Team captain Peter Beamer rolls his ankle at the 27th minute of the half and freshman Adam Mederios entered the match.

Junior scrumhalf Matt Burke, with bruised ribs, is the next to go out, and is replaced by freshman Matt Hart. In the last few minutes of the match UConn scored two unconverted tries to bring the final score to 33-5.

"As a coach you are looking for development, said NU head coach Bob Weggler. "We had plenty of that this weekend, from defensive intensity to set scrums, rucks and lineouts.

"We poached, took the ball against the head and stole possession in lineouts. We had a difficult time turning possession into points. Not having our regular 9 and 10 interrupted our continuity of play."

"Man of the Match" went to junior lock Andrew Fitzpatrick, who is a former Kimball Union Academy rugger, from Westwood, Mass.

The Norwich men's rugby team closes out its season on Saturday, Oct. 27, at home against Northeastern. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.