INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Principia College Thunder Chickens kicked off their Big Rivers Rugby Conference campaign with a hard-fought 22-15 victory over Marian University on Saturday. After a slower start that saw them fall behind early, Principia mounted a determined comeback to begin conference play 1-0.
Marian struck first, taking an 8-0 lead within the first ten minutes. After a successful penalty kick put them on the board five minutes in, a try soon afterward gave them early momentum. Principia struggled to find their rhythm on offense throughout much of the first half, but they found the spark they needed just before the halftime whistle. Tobin Blair intercepted a kick pass around midfield, immediately offloading to Dexter Mbwinja. As Mbwinja was getting tackled, he sent a wide pass to Kudzai Chiwara, who sprinted down the sideline, gaining crucial ground before making a perfect inside pass to a charging Damilola Odunuga. Odunuga sped past the defense and placed the ball under the goalposts for the try. Damir Conci added the conversion, bringing the score to 8-7 at halftime and swinging the momentum in Principia's favor.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Conci made a big penalty kick to give the Thunder Chickens their first lead of the match at 10-8. Minutes later, Ntando Sibanda added to the lead with his first try of the season, sprawling over the line after receiving the ball near the try zone. Conci once again delivered on the conversion, extending Principia's lead to 17-8. Marian would fight back, scoring a try with 14 minutes remaining to cut the deficit to just two points at 17-15. With the game hanging in the balance, Principia needed a response, and the Thunder Chickens delivered once again with nine minutes to play. In a play similar to Sibanda's try, Odunuga received a pass near the try zone and powered over the line to score his second try of the match.
The Principia defense held strong for the remainder of the match as they secured a critical 22-15 victory. The win showed the Thunder Chickens' resilience, bouncing back from a tough start and finding ways to execute under pressure. The scrum improved its play from Principia's first match with Alfredo Boly, Charles Luhanga, and Sbewu Fipaza leading the way up front. Among the backs, Damir Conci and Andy Naringo had strong games breaking through the defensive lines numerous times. Braian Song, Dexter Mbwinja, and Tobin Blair all stepped into starting roles for this match due to injuries and performed very admirably.
The Thunder Chickens will look to carry this momentum into next Saturday when they return home to host Iowa Central. Kickoff is set for 11:00 am at Clark Field.
