Blacksburg Rugby

With the Virginia Rugby Union Senior Men's Division III season fast approaching, Blacksburg's players had the chance to dust off their rugby gear a few weeks early when the River Valley Vipers from West Virginia came calling for a friendly trial match.

The Blacksburg side featured a number of new faces, with four starters making their rugby union debuts and only two starters from the side that lost in April's Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union territorial quarterfinals. The Vipers traveled light with sparse reserve cover, but the players who did arrive came to play.

Although Blacksburg did most of the early scoring, the visitors showed plenty of skill and fight from the first whistle. River Valley came on particularly strong near the end with three late tries.

In the end, eight tries and four conversions saw Blacksburg through, but the victors will be troubled by the four tries and one conversion they conceded in the effort.

Everyone at Blacksburg thanks the Vipers for the visit and the great match. Blacksburg also appreciates the excellent refereeing work provided by Barry Cross.

Two weekends off now await Blacksburg now before the club's competition fixtures open with a home match against the James River club from Richmond on 18 September.