This weekend, our Men's team traveled to Cooper's Lake Campground for our annual spring match against The Pittsburgh Rugby Club (Pitt City RFC). In our last meeting, Erie prevailed by the score of 15-8...so this would obviously be a very spirited match!

Off the opening kickoff, the Erie boy's set the tone & banged their way down to the Pitt City 5 meter line for the first stoppage of play in the game. After a few attempts to punch it into the endzone, and a subsequent penalty against Pitt City, Erie got on the board early with a penalty kick by flyhalf Shane Hoyne (3 -0, Erie). Not to be outdone, the Pitt City boy's were able to answer back after a similar penalty by flanker Bob Nelson, of Erie (3 - 3, tie game). The rest of the half was played inside Pitt City territory, and after some fancy footwork late in the half...Erie scrumhalf Tom Tredway was able to sneak under the posts for Erie's first try of the season (10 - 3, Erie).

Erie made a handful of adjustments in the 2nd half, as there would be no "B" game...and after a shaky start, were able to pull it together and play the kind of Erie Rugby that we all know and love! Pitt City got into the endzone early to tie the game at 10, but Erie was quick to answer with another penalty kick from Erie flyhalf Shane Hoyne (13 - 10, Erie). This proved to be the last points for Erie on the day, as Pitt City was able to score when their flanker pulled the ball from the front row @ snuck through for an easy try to finish the scoring for the day...(17 - 13, Pitt City).

All in all, it was a very impressive outing for the Erie Rugby Club. We traveled to Cooper's Lake with almost 30 players...and controlled the game from the opening kickoff. Hat's off to our "B" Side team for hanging in there for a very impressive half against a Division 2 team, and to all of our rookies for stepping up on Saturday!

The Erie Men travel to Buffalo next weekend to take on the Buffalo Old Boy's, 2008 New York State Division 3 Champs! Please come out and show your support!