Alumni Rugby Football
32nd Annual
"Spring Planting"
Alumni Hang On, 31 - 26
First Half
Try – Steve Blaske (5-0)
Try – Pat Harnisch (Jeff Nogaj conversion) (5-7)
Try – Undergraduates (5-12)
Try – Les Degolier (Andy MacElwee conversion) (12-12)
Second Half
Try – Alumni (17-12)
Try – Undergraduates (Nogaj conversion) (17-19)
Try – MacElwee (MacElwee conversion) (24-19)
Try – Dan Hager (MacElwee conversion) (31-19)
Penalty Try – Undergraduates (31-26)
With renewed vigor stemming from a 42-12 thrashing last spring, a young, fit Alumni side took the 2007 Gringo Cup from the Undergraduates 31-26.
The Alumni committed to using their forward pack from the get-go. A strong series of drives off of rucks put the Old Boys at the Undergrads doorstep. Fullback Steve Blaske joined the wing off a scrum and sliced through the midfield, diving in for the opening score.
Coming off several weeks of top-notch competition, the Outlaws were not going to give in easily. The Undergrads dynamic half back combination of Jeff Nogaj and Pat Harnisch turned things around quickly when Harnisch busted through the gain line and outpaced the Alumni to the corner for a 40-meter try. Nogaj converted for the 7-5 lead. Another Undergrad try set the score at 12-5.
Another series of forward-dominated play ensued before the half as Alumni flanker Les Degolier scooped up the ball deep in Outlaw territory and charged in to level the score at 12-12.
The Alumni’s experience and determination took over in the second half as they dominated possession. Led by the determined play of scrum half Andy MacElwee, the Alumni quickly scored to take the 17-12 lead.
An Undergrad try answered but continued stout defense and quality rucking slowed the Outlaws. MacElwee converted a try of his own after several phases by the Alumni. Lock Dan Hager also dotted down to give the Alumni a convincing 31-19 lead.
An Undergrad penalty try as time expired was not enough and the Alumni claimed the hard-fought victory.
Man of the Match – Lining up at scrum half and wing, Andy MacElwee’s brilliant play was the difference between a comfortable Alumni victory and a nail biter. MacElwee’s conversions in the second half – one converting his own try – were both at very tough angles and gave the Alumni an emotional boost to pull out the win. His leadership and organization of the defense cannot be discounted.
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