The Oregon State Men's Rugby Team reaches NCRC Cup Final after a resilience display on Monday evening vs. a very passionate & physical Ducks side.
After a messy week figuring out where and when this playoff match was going to be played, we ended up at home, at OSU, playing in front of our fans (although it sounded more like a home game for the Ducks!). We went into the game 3 key players down; which meant we had to play multiple players out of position, as well as bring in a freshman lock, Jeff Buxton, who started playing this season. There is no doubt we were up against it, and it felt that way throughout the contest. But we have been working hard on staying tight as a group, being there for one another when times get tough, and being resilient. We went to places we haven't been in 18 months, we were down, but we found a way to come out on top 24-23.
It was a scrappy beginning to the game. We had all of the territory and possession in the first 20mins, but failed to execute at least 4-5 times (try scoring opportunities). However, we did take our moment, eventually. 20m out, Tejas Godbole went quick off a penalty, hit inside center Juwan Johnson on a typical tackle busting run, who offloaded to Sophomore Dane McKinney for the score (his 3rd try in 2 games).
7-0.
The Ducks scored next, penalty.
7-3.
And then again with a pick and go try through there forwards.
7-8.
We returned the favor when Juwan Johnson scored an opportunistic try turning defense into attack just before halftime.
14-8 (HT)
A poor start. The Ducks scored tries at the 44th and 48th minutes. The first off a scrum turn, with their 7 picking the ball up and going 10m to score. The second to their physical and dynamic winger in the right corner. The boys were down, 14-20 with time winding down. Rugby is about momentum and territory, and the Ducks had it all with 15 to go.
14-20
Somehow, we found our way with a little possession at the right end of the field. After a couple of good runs up the middle, scrumhalf Wyatt Dillman hit Juwan at first receiver who threw a 15m pass to center Tejas Godbole who hit it at top speed and went through a gap in the Ducks defense and ran 40m to score under the posts. Tejas nailed the conversion to put us back up by 1.
21-20.
The fun wasn't over. We were back at our end of the field, defending well. But our discipline let us down, and within range of the posts. The Ducks kicked it, and they went ahead.
21-23.
Back and forth we go. It was tense, the boys felt it and wanted it. We get back to the right end of the field and win a penalty, 40m out. Tejas signals for posts, but misses to the left. Ducks 22m dropout, and another penalty to us from the same position. Tejas steps up again, and this time, it goes through.
24-23.
The final 2-3 minutes were intense. We held the ball, showed great composure, and kept possession until the final whistle.
Final score, 24-23.
We were up for it, but execution let us down. But we made up for it with heart, determination and teamwork. You can teach skill, tactics and rugby - all fixable and we will get to work this week. But there is no way we would have won if we were not a unit moving in the same direction. All of the time we have put in as a group on and off the field is for moments like that.
The boys found a way, to win, when we had no momentum, no territory, and down players.
The Beavers will now travel to Bellingham, WA, this weekend to take on the Western Washington Vikings in the NCRC Championship match. Again, a place (a final) we have not been to in years. We believe in each other, and we can't wait to go at them like we did in the Fall (a loss 24-34).
Troy Hall
OSU Men's Rugby Head Coach
Troy