Blacksburg Rugby

Wet weather threatened to dampen the weekend for rugby in the New River Valley, but cooperation between Blacksburg and Radford University ensured that both sides were able to make progress with a productive trial match.

Although the friendly fixture was scheduled to be played in Radford, a flooded surface at the scheduled hosts' Mick Turk Rugby Ground forced a last-minute move one day prior to the match. Blacksburg representatives were pleased to offer the Blacksburg ground as a venue, and Radford's players graciously made quick arrangements for the short highway drive to ensure that the day was not a loss.

All of the scrambling ended up being more than worth the trouble, with both sides offering plenty of lively attack and defense from the first whistle. Blacksburg had a little bit more fortune than Radford in turning chances into tries, scoring four tries and a conversion in the first half against two unconverted tries from the visitors, but both sides also narrowly missed on several more scoring opportunities throughout the first stanza.

After the halftime break, a raft of Radford reserves came on to build up the college side's experience and explore new combinations, and the many personnel changes favored Blacksburg on the scoreboard despite continued hustle from both sides. Although the Blacksburg side of the scoreline was hefty in the second half, Radford managed a converted try as well. More importantly, the college side was able to provide extensive match experience for a large group of players, and Blacksburg had the chance to explore plenty of combinations as well.

Everyone at Blacksburg thanks Radford for the quality day and thanks referee Les Anderton for traveling to serve as the man in the middle. Blacksburg also appreciates the help of sponsors The London Underground and Pabst Blue Ribbon for their support, as well as to Matt Marry of Tuck Chiropractic for his match-day assistance to both clubs.

Next week, Blacksburg crosses the West Virginia border for a trial match against the River Valley Vipers.

Blacksburg 62 (Hopkins 2T; Rhodes 2T; Goddard T 2C; Appleby T; Hackworth T; Madsen T; McCann T; Pallante T; Bucher 4C)

Radford 17 (3T 1C)