NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich
Cadets men's rugby team defeated previously undefeated
and 13th ranked Bentley University 20-12 on Saturday at the
Dog River Rugby Pitch. It was Norwich's second come from
behind victory in consecutive weekends.
At the nine-minute mark Chris Hein converted
on a penalty to give Norwich the early lead, 3-0. The Bentley
Falcons at the thirteenth minute scored in the corner to gain a 5-3
advantage. Both teams played solid defense throughout the half and
Bentley carried a 5-3 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, the Cadets scored 17 unanswered points
in the highly contested match. In the 45th minute,
junior flanker Josh Nowak dove
over for the try to regain the lead. Hein's conversion put Norwich
up 10-5. Nine minutes later at the 54th minute mark
junior #8 Mike Brooks dove over for his try to bring the score to
15-5, Norwich. Senior flanker Tyrel Armstrong
at the 70th minute scored the Cadets' third try from a
ruck near the in-goal to give Norwich a 20-5 lead.
The Falcons scored a converted try at the final whistle in
injury time to close the gap.
Final: Norwich 20-Bentley 12. "We closed down an explosive
Bentley side from the 13th minute until injury time of
the second half, said Coach Weggler. "That's more than seventy
minutes of continuous play." In the end it was our tackling and
defensive intensity that lead to our victory," he added.
The second side also won over Bentley, 39-5. It was their fourth
victory in a row.
Norwich improves to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in NERFU action.
Next Saturday, the Cadets take on the University of Maine Black
Bears in Orono, Maine. Kickoff time is TBA.
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Langille
