| A TESTING DAY |
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The Ohio northern rugby men had a bye week, so their undefeated record in the league was not in danger. However, in a one-off test game -away against Toledo's B-side- the team got tested more than ever this year, and they came out triumphant.
The ladies from Ada could not build on their good form as their opponents from Wright State proved to be of a different class. The well playing ladies in orange got held to zero tries, where the home team crossed the try-line on several occasions. |
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| Prop Tim Smith on the charge |
| Bruising |
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In any other sport a random test game between two teams could look dull, as there is nothing really at stake. Not so in this great game of rugby. Both Toledo and ONU's men fought a hard and physical battle. Especially the oppositions hardened veterans proved to be a handful to the Northern players.
An early try from the Toledo team galvanized the ONU team. From the ensuing kick-off the men in orange put great pressure on Toledo's receivers. Ray Kus and Josh Koza proved to be a real nuisance, poaching the bobbling ball and eventually going on to score in the corner. From there on the guests kept putting great pressure on the Toledo attack. So much so that long kicks were the only option left to the home team on more than one occasion. With the ball in hand the ONU team could count on great running by the agile backs and an across the field support by tireless packies. The bruising nature of the contest could be judged by the bloody faces and battered limbs after the game. Never this fall were the men from Northern tested to this extend. The win and the 35 to 5 end score are a great testament to the resolve and fighting spirit of current Black Rose Rugby. |
| Daunting |
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Playing away against the unbeaten Wright State ladies is a daunting task for any team. The young team from Ada knew that this was going to be a tough game. Loosing captain Valerie Cooper in the first five minutes with an ankle sprain definitely was not the start the ladies were looking for. The rest of the team had to step up to make up for the loss of their top tackler. Packy of the day Tiffany Kosta led the way in what was a much improved display of close quarter tackling and rucking. Stopping Wrights State's advance for a couple of phases was not enough though. Their skillful backs eventually always seemed to find holes in the Black Rose defensive line.
The final score is not yet known at this time, but from the start of the game it was clear that this match could only have one winner. |