Match Report: Scioto Valley @ Ashland University

Broadcast Email : Match Report: Scioto Valley @ Ashland University

SVRFC Email Notice: 03/31/09. Match Report: Scioto Valley @ Ashland University Scioto Valley continued the success from Savannah when they faced the Eagles of Ashland University last Saturday. After adjusting to the particularly narrow pitch, Valley began to gain momentum early in the first half and by the end of the half Valley was clearly dominating.

The narrowness of the pitch forced the game to be a forward driven power match. Although the scrums were not Valley's best display of rugby prowess, the lineouts, rucking and overall loose play definitely favored them. Aside from a few mental mistakes resulting in penalties, Valley's forwards showed very disciplined play and successfully crashed the ball and recycled to suck in enough Ashland defenders to create space for the backs to put the ball in.

Highlights from the match include a fantastic team-effort try that saw Valley stretch the ball across the entire width of the pitch multiple times. Working through several phases, they used the hands of nearly every player and worked the ball more than half the length of the pitch before Kyle Trent punched the ball in. Other highlights include hat tricks from centers Nolan Hyland, who has returned to Valley after a short hiatus, and Mike Coughlin.

Fullback Michael Riches was seven for nine on conversion kicks, sending a few even from the sideline.

The final score was 59-0.

Despite the overwhelming victory, the match showed that there is still a lot of improvement to be made. Amidst the sparks of athleticism and brilliant rugby were bouts of sloppy play and poor decision making. Valley will have to polish these rough patches if they are to prove their worth against Indy at the Midwest semifinals April 25.

Valley ups the ante this Saturday when they take on Cleveland Eastern Suburbs this weekend at Rhodes Park.

(Coughlin, March 31, 2009)

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