International Rugby Tours
Bonaventure 2-1 in Ireland
March 3, 2008
St. Bonaventure returned from their three-game tour of Ireland with a 2-1 record.
In the opening game a close and exciting match, St. Bonaventure narrowly beat Dublin University FC’s fourth side 14-8 behind converted tries from sophomore wing Darren Kmicinski and senior hooker Chris Grys.
Finally out of the bleakness of the Western New York winter, the Outlaws were looking to ease into an expansive game plan. The forward pack set the tone early in set pieces while also putting on an impressive display at the breakdown.
Despite the low score, the loose forwards and backs were able to continually break the Trinity line only to fall short of the score. Likewise, a few defensive breakdowns allowed Trinity to stay close.
After an extended period of pressure, Grys bulled his way into the try zone, giving the Outlaws the 7-0 lead. Trinity countered with a penalty kick for a 7-3 half time score.
After shaking off some rust the St. Bonaventure backline showed their pace with Kmicinski sprinting down the wing for the try. A late Trinity score was not enough as the Outlaws held possession and put together several good phases to seal the match.
Man of Match – Freshman scrum half Tom Theurkauf called a smart game and organized the side enough in the season’s first match for a win over a much more experienced side.
Scoring – Tries – Grys, Kmicinski
Conversions – Kmicinski 2-2
Lineup – 15 Mike Hanrahan, 14 Gabe Martinez (VC), 13 Charlie Specht, 12 Will Atkinson, 11 Darren Kmicinski, 10 Craig Chatfield, 9 Tom Theurkauf, 8 Pat Harnisch (C), 7 Bob Owens, 6 Tom Conley, 5 Zibi Pawlowski, 4 Ben Atkinson, 3 Nick Maurer, 2 Chris Grys, 1 Al Lilga
Playing the most precise and stylish rugby coach Clarence Picard has seen in his seven years with the club, St. Bonaventure thrashed Athlone Institute of Technology’s freshmen 47-19 at Buccaneers R.F.C. east of Galway.
Looking to focus on support in open play, it seemed at times that it was 20 against 15 as SBU attackers continually moved forward. The entire starting side had been replaced by the 50-minute mark.
Using a strong offload game, SBU exerted dominance early when freshman Ben Atkinson, making his St. Bonaventure debut in the number 8 jersey, burst through the gain line and offloaded to hard charging winger Darren Kmicinski for the try.
After trading a pair of converted tries – Athlone’s off a lineout and SBU’s from fullback Mike Hanrahan – the teams settled into a back and forth match.
Athlone, realizing their forwards could not compete up front, looked to spread the ball wide when sophomore outside center Charlie Specht fired up for the intercept and went untouched from 35-meters out and the 21-7 lead at the 31 minute mark. Minutes later junior blindside flanker Tom Conley used his strength to dominate his defender and offload to Kmicinski. The wing did the rest as he fended off his man and burst past another one for the try and 28-7 half time lead.
The second half saw three more classy SBU tries that were good enough for any highlight reel. Fly half Craig Chatfield scored first after several offloads allowed Charlie Specht to side step his defender and dish to the looping freshman.
Just minutes later senior Pat Harnisch scooped up a loose ball and passed wide to Kmicinski who cut back inside, creating space for Ben Atkinson. The University of Tennessee transfer found Hanrahan in support for his second try. Kmicinski converted to finish his day with 20 points.
At the 49th minute vice captain Gabe Martinez got the crowd going with an impressive solo effort. He picked up an errant Athlone pass, sprinting upfield from inside the SBU 22-meter line. Running at full tilt, the junior wing stiff-armed his opposite number before sidestepping Athlone’s fullback on his way to the try zone. Freshman Will Atkinson converted for the 49-7 lead.
Athlone fought to the end with another converted try off a lineout and one off a charged down kick.
Man of Match – The backline supported each other well and the loose forwards were devastating linking with the backs in attack. Despite the match’s high score and flash, it was the hard running of sophomore Al Lilga – and a shocking 40-meter punt from the burly prop – that allowed the team to go forward all day.
Scoring – Tries – Kmicinski (2), Hanrahan (2), Chatfield, Martinez, Specht
Conversions – Kmicinski 5-6, W. Atkinson 1-1
Lineup – 15 Mike Hanrahan, 14 Gabe Martinez, 13 Charlie Specht, 12 Will Atkinson, 11 Darren Kmicinski, 10 Craig Chatfield, 9 Tom Theurkauf, 8 Ben Atkinson, 7 Bob Owens, 6 Tom Conley, 5 Zibi Pawlowski, 4 Pat Harnisch, 3 Nick Maurer, 2 Brian Kelly, 1 Al Lilga
Garryowen’s Athleticism and Skill Too Much For Tired Outlaws
Taking on a side of some future professionals – and USA U-20 flanker Austin Cella – the Garryowen U-20s steamrolled St. Bonaventure 68-14. There were moments of class from the Outlaws but in the end the famous Limerick club was far too good for the road weary tourists.
From the get-go Garryowen pinned SBU deep in their territory and mauled a lineout from 20-meters out into the try zone. Another pair of tries over the next 15 minutes showed that Garryowen had it all from powerful, athletic forwards to smart halfbacks to speedy and skilled backs. The Irishmen played a similar styled game to St. Bonaventure but their size, fitness and experience was the difference. They continually managed to create overloads with all eight forwards attacking as well as the backs.
The Outlaws did, however, put together several periods of good play and managed to improve as the match went on, even if the score line grew. Sophomore utility forward Mark Hanna, playing at prop, sliced through the defense off the lineout for a first half try, converted by Darren Kmicinski.
The center pairing of Will Atkinson and Charlie Specht continually showed their offensive skills, giving the Garryowen defense a lot of trouble. Midway through the second half Specht broke the line and sucked in the fullback before offloading to Atkinson for the score.
Man of Match – Despite Garryowen’s experience, fitness and skill, the Outlaws had several extended phases of good play. Whenever that happened, it was the center duo of Will Atkinson and Charlie Specht that broke the gain line and put the Garryowen defense under pressure.
Scoring – Tries – W. Atkinson, Hanna Conversions – Kmicinski 2-2
Lineup – 15 Mike Hanrahan, 14 Gabe Martinez, 13 Charlie Specht, 12 Will Atkinson, 11 Darren Kmicinski, 10 Craig Chatfield, 9 Mike Gallagher, 8 Ben Atkinson, 7 Bob Owens, 6 Tom Conley, 5 Zibi Pawlowski, 4 Pat Harnisch, 3 Jim Welles, 2 Chris Grys, 1 Al Lilga
courtesy erugbynews