ROLLA, MO. -- This game was really tough for all of us.  For some reason we just started very flat and without our normal inspiration.  Only twelve minutes into the game, we were already down 19 - 0.  From this point forward the men really tried hard and played considerably better team rugby , despite there being little hope of the win we had practiced for.  

By half time the score was 24 – 7.   Our try was created from a scrum awarded to us about twenty yards from the Rolla goal line.  Jake Milner took the ball from the scrum and ran a nice attacking line at the defense, forcing them to move out of their normal routes.  He made a swift pass to Trevor Marunde who took advantage of the softened defensive formation and cut through them into space, and outran the last tackler into the end zone.  This showing of skill and success was a good boost to the Thunder Chickens' confidence and determination to continue fighting hard.  

The second half progressed with another try by Principia, from a set scrum.   Jake struggled to get a clean handling opportunity, so the pass to Trevor was not so good, and by the time the ball got to Tyler Marunde he had to take on their tackler and form a ruck.  He controlled the ball well, and we recycled into play.  The pass to Jordan Anderson was solid, and Bishoppe Kamusinga ran a wide line to create a lot of attacking space on our right side.  This action spread the defense across the field and Jordan's timely pass to Ben Schafer allowed him to slice through the opening Bishoppe had created.  Trevor Marunde's kicking practice, and the hints provided by soccer guru Lee Ellis, paid off well.  He made both try conversions, and two more penalty kicks later in the game.  This means he scored 15 of our 20 points.   

Looking at this game after much thought over the last twenty four hours, I have to say that the following items are noteworthy:     

1. In the latter sixty five minute of the game we only lost by 22 – 20.  A VERY good show of character considering the hole we had dug for ourselves against a good opponent, who beaten us by 29 points just a couple of weeks ago.  
2. Kendall Shoemake had a great day in the line outs stealing their throws, spoiling their ability to throw deep ball, and won all but one or two of our own throws.  Impressive for a freshman, with no prior rugby experience, and stepping into the front jumper job while Josh is in Australia with the solar car.  
3. Our tactical kicking improved dramatically, giving us much better attacking situations throughout the game.   
4. Our defensive rucking was vastly improved, and we earned some turnovers and penalties from this effort.  
5. We had several fantastic breaks through their defense and nearly scored on most of those opportunities.  We had worked hard on this during the week, and the benefits were obvious to us.  

We are still a young and developing squad, but the increase in skills and maturity is significant.  So noticeable in fact, that the Rolla coach made a point of chatting to the lads, and telling them how impressed he was with the improvement they had made since our last meeting.  Shane was graceful and direct in his respect for this team.  I am confident that the Principia rugby team will have great future based on the standards these men are setting for themselves and the program.