Blacksburg Rugby

After some early fits and starts, Blacksburg got the Fall 2010 Virginia Rugby Union Senior Men's Division III season off to a winning start with a 43-22 win over James River from Richmond.

The visitors brought plenty of fight, opening the scoring with a converted try after keeping Blacksburg on the line for several minutes, but Blacksburg regained the lead early in the first period and earned a 26-10 lead by halftime.

After being held to just the converted try and a penalty goal in the first half, James River pushed Blacksburg hard in the second by scoring a pair of tries and a penalty goal, but three more tries, a pair of conversions, and a penalty goal from Blacksburg saw the hosts through.

In a reserve-grade match, played over the course of three 20-minute periods, Blacksburg's developmental side picked up a 31-14 win. Blacksburg raced to a 24-0 lead during the first two periods, but a strong effort from James River's reserves in the last period narrowed the final margin considerably. Some great performances from newer players in the reserves match gave both sides plenty of reason to feel optimistic about the future.

Blacksburg's players thank James River for making the trip and providing two great matches. The club also appreciates the excellent refereeing work of Ian Ray, who is a new addition to rugby in Virginia after a long stint of service as a representative player and administrator with the Victorian Rugby Union.

The promising start provides Blacksburg little room to relax, as five more tough competition matches await the club during September and October. The next challenge is a road trip to Lynchburg for a match against Blackwater on 25 September. James River, meanwhile, will look to get back on the winning track against Virginia Beach on the same day in Richmond.

Blacksburg 43 (T Goddard, T Bucher, T Forbey, T Vest, T Pulli, T Ivory; 5C Bucher; 1P Bucher)

James River 22 (3T; 2C; 1P)