When it comes to AIC and Bentley, it seems like wins are few and far between no matter the sport. The men?s rugby team knew this going into the Saturday?s contest (as if playing a nationally ranked competitor wasn?t enough) and wanted to perform for?their?student body. There had been talks of ?avenging? some of the other teams on campus and that further added to the night?s competitive factor.
Bentley had a successful run last year at nationals and was looking to repeat. AIC, on the other hand, wanted what Bentley had. AIC is looking for a piece of the pie that Bentley had been enjoying as a nationally recognized program. Captain Jordan Schmitz told the team on Friday?s walkthrough that Bentley ?was only holding a place at the table for [AIC] and that it was time to take what is [AIC's].?
On an atypically warm?October?night, the two teams took the field and started what would be a great show for all in attendance. AIC took the fight to Bentley at first with some crunching tackles and some quick territory gains off of turnover ball. Atoa Ripley (OC) gave the game what it needed early as he raced through the defense on the short side of the field and dotted a try down between the posts. Kevin Anagnostou (IC) converted to give AIC an early 7-0 lead.
Bentley picked themselves up quickly and pressured the AIC try line greatly with phase after phase of first channel forward play. The line held due to some hard tackling and a Bentley penalty. Soon enough, Bentley was right back in the AIC red zone as Kevin Raferty scored from a maul to bring Bentley nearly level. The game began to get away from both teams as the intensity picked up leading to half time and AIC gave away a penalty on the last play of the half. Spencer McKenna easily put through the penalty and gave his team the 8-7 lead at half time.
In the second half it would be almost all AIC as they pounded their way to victory. Bentley began to miss chances and seemed happy to kick away possession. Sam Seumaala (FL) set up what is now AIC?s try of the year as he dished to prop Josh Tanuvasa and watched him rumble down the sideline for the second half?s first score. Bentley was visibly deflated.
Later in the second half, the AIC forwards continued to harass the half back combination of Bentley and turnovers started to take a toll on the visiting team. Two more tries were set up by Colin Bartolomeo (N8) and Duke Makina (FH) and were happily finished by Makina and John Jackson (W).
In what was a physical, vocal, and downright barn burner of a match, AIC walked away with what was the biggest win in its short history. Man of the match, Nick Tinnirella (FB) did a great job handling the dozens of possessions kicked away by Bentley and ran a finely orchestrated counter attack. AIC now sits firmly at the top of the Rugby Northeast standings and travels to Merrimack (2-1) this Sunday.
Final Score: 22-11
Try Scorers: Atoa Ripley, Josh Tanuvasa, Duke Makina, Josh Tanuvasa
Conversions: Kevin Anagnostou
B Side Result: W43-0
Click the Pic for More Match Photos!
Video Highlights:
Source: http://www.aicrecsports.com/2011/10/12/aic-men-unseat-12-bentley/
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