Blacksburg Rugby

Blacksburg opened its Fall 2008 Virginia Rugby Union Senior Men's Division III campaign with a tough 22-15 loss to Virginia. The match was a trying experience for all given rainy conditions and an intense rivalry between the two sides, which have held the top two spots in the Virginia Rugby Union competition during both 2006 and 2007. Blacksburg never led in the contest, though the difference between the sides was as lean as two points late in the match and the result was in question until the final whistle. Virginia's four tries to Blacksburg's two ended up making the difference in the match. Both sides also kicked one conversion, while Blacksburg also slotted a penalty goal. On a number of occasions, Charlottesville earned their win in attack as much as in defense by stopping Blacksburg charges less than a meter from the whitewash.

Hooker Lou Madsen and Flanker Caleb Williams scored tries for Blacksburg, while wing Jeff Drake added Blacksburg's penalty and conversion goals. Player-coach Chuck Rockwell also lauded center Mark Seiss as man of the match for making a number of line breaks and holding up firmly in defense, and flanker/lock Dave Woolard was also awarded an "auxillary" man of the match award for bringing along a boisterous carload of supporters despite rainy conditions.

Blacksburg will ruminate on the frustrating result during a weekend off before taking on Virginia Beach at home on 11 October.