Elsah, ILL. -- The Principia College rugby team won its first two conference matches this week, beginning on Saturday with their home opener against the Missouri University of Science and Technology Miners and ending Monday night at Washington University in Saint Louis.
The Miners scored first in the 5th minute after pinning the Thunder Chickens against their goal line and running a series of bangers. After a penalty in the 21st minute against Missouri S&T inside their own 22 meter line, Principia answered with a try when center Tom Bisbee made a quick tap and passed the ball to flanker Graham Thatcher who scored only a meter from the touch line. Another try at the end of the half gave Principia a 14-5 lead. After both teams scored twice in the second half, the final score was 26-17. Principia's first try in the second half came from a great backline play between Bisbee and center Tyler Marunde, while the forwards contributed the second try after repeatedly driving the ball forward inside the Miner's five meter line. Missouri S&T was awarded a penalty try for a late tackle on a Missouri S&T kicker.
The Thunder Chickens opened the game against the Washington University Griffins with four tries in the first half going up 28-5. After blowing an early opportunity, Principia put the first points on the scoreboard in the 7th minute when fly-half Trevor Marunde passed to winger Jake Milner, who ran the ball wide and then 80 meters down the field. Strong pressure by Principia's backs, coupled with errant passes by Washington University, led to several more tries. The Griffins controlled the ball well off of rucks through a combination of forward bangers and pick and rolls, but the Thunder Chickens defense was able to hold them at the tackle line and capitalize on their mistakes. In the second half, both teams put up a try, bringing the final score to be 35-10. Sloppy rucking and off-sides led to both teams being heavily penalized in the latter stages of the match. James Suber was a perfect 5 for 5 on his conversion kicks during the game.
The Thunder Chickens' next game will be a rematch against Washington University on October 9th in Elsah.
