Mother's top the Mount.
On Saturday September 26th, the UMW Men's Rugby team returned home to Fredericksburg with 2 victories from Mount St. Mary's.
In the 1st XV match, Benjamin Peters opened the scoring with a well worked try from a maul inside Mount's 22m. Assisted by RJ Berlington, Peters added the conversion after making the score 7-0. Senior Aiden Hayward got on the board next walking into the try zone untouched. Peters assisted that try after the forward pack condensed the defense as the Mother's took a 12-0 lead. Some great defensive pressure turned into points for UMW as Max McKittrick started with an impressive effort when Hayward picked up a loose ball and assisted McKittrick who finished over the line. Peters added the conversion to make it 19-0. With 5 minutes left in the first half the pressure by the Mother's attack kept up leading to an intentional knock on by Mount. This led to a penalty try for UMW. 26-0 with 3 minutes remaining in the opening period. After a blundered kickoff receipt, Mount mauled in a try which posted the halftime score at 26-7.
After halftime, the Mother's struck first with Aiden Hayward finding the try line again. This time a well worked maul play led to space out wide. Some smooth ball movement led to Thomas Howard finding Hayward who raced to the corner as the Mother's took the lead 31-7. The Mount stormed back in the rain and with wind at their back to cut the deficit to 31-26 at the final whistle.
In the 2nd XV match, The Mother's controlled the match from the opening kickoff. Transfer Charley Maxwell scored twice off of set piece plays. Oscar Fenby had a hattrick and some highlight reel scores. Oran Ritson also dotted one over the line. Ronan Foley impressively went 5/6 off the tee and the Mother's 2nd XV took home a 40-14 victory.
Both sides travel to #6 Life University this weekend in the next Rugby East matchup.
The Mother's next home contest will be vs #23 Southern Virginia University on 10/24 for homecoming weekend.
