Women’s Rugby is Blowing Away the Competition

Plymouth N.H. – This Saturday 3 the Plymouth State Women’s Rugby Club won its first home game of the season against Norwich University 66-5, leaving them at a convincing 2-0 for the fall season. Jenny Larochelle started everything off when two minutes into the game the ball was spun out to her and she sidestepped her way across the try-line for the first five points of the game. Both teams were surprised at such a quick score due to the two teams past history. Andrea Clarke soon after busted through the defensive line to make the score 10-0. At this point everything seemed to be working well for Plymouth. Both the scrummies and backs were working as one unit instead of two separate groups. This was apparent in the next drive of the game. Kate Fuller set a hard ruck and the scrummies naturally went over and took the ball themselves. After a couple of passes amongst themselves Beth Metts was able to secure her place on the opposite side of the try-line, as the backs watched with jaws hanging open. The score was now 15-0. But Plymouth kept coming hard at Norwich pressuring them to make mistakes. Norwich soon did and kicked a long ball to center field where it was cleanly fielded and passed out to Larochelle who was looping outside. She then sprinted fifty yards into the tryzone with six cadets nipping at her heels. With the minutes winding down in the first half Plymouth was once again knocking on the door. A Norwich penalty brought Plymouth that much closer and a quick spin out to Clarke was all she needed to score the last try of the half. Megan Callahan then kicked the ball through the uprights to end the first half 37-0. After half-time Plymouth came out even stronger then before. The rucks were cleaner and the passes crisper. There was a new drive behind the Plymouth offense as they continued to score again and again, showing Norwich what a second half team is all about; heart. The play was dominated by Plymouth on both sides of the ball as new players came to the line. Ashley Daniels was tackled to the ground hard and yet she still got up and drove the ball across the try-line, making the game 42-0. Kate Fuller was soon to follow with an amazing break away run that ended right behind the uprights. This set up Kori Armiento to make the two point conversion from twenty-two meters out. But once again Larochelle showed the crowd what speed was all about as she evaded her way to her third and final try of the game. Then with Kori’s two point conversion the game tally was at 56. The most amazing score of the game was produced by Meg Kennedy, one of the newest players on the roster. The fact that three weeks ago she didn’t know what a ruck was did not scare Meg. She carried the ball down the field like a seasoned veteran, not worrying about the four Norwich girls breathing down her neck as she sprinted down the field into the try making the score 61-0. With only about ten minutes left in the game the inevitable happened, Norwich put five points on the board. Norwich was determined as they pounded away at the defense and finally crossed the line with a controversial try. Of course this slight lapse forced Plymouth to dig there cleats in a little deeper. With good speed and control they marched down the field. A penalty against Norwich gave Plymouth the ball and Ace expertly took it in for the final score of the game 66-5. This game leaves the ruggers 2-0 on the season after last weeks 48-0 win over the University of Vermont. Despite the blow away scores there is still plenty for the team to work on before there upcoming match against WPI. It will be played home at 11:00am on Saturday October, 9th. So come and support the girls as they try to cross one more team off their list.