Virginia Tech will open their spring season this coming Saturday with an away game against the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, this Saturday.

The cadets will give the Hokies a stern test on their new turf field. VMI are in the Mid-Atlantic Division Two play-offs in March, qualifying as the No2 seed from Virginia - they produced some good performances in the fall. The game will be great preparation as the team gets ready for its opening game in the Atlantic Coast Rugby League match against North Carolina State the following week in North Carolina.

This past Saturday, the Hokies took part in a scrimmage against Blacksburg RFC. Played in air temperatures in the teen's and and in driving snow and wind, the Hokies did extremely well. The Varsity side played the first two 20-minute quarters and the Junior Varsity the second two. 

Defensively, the Varsity side played well, especially at the breakdown. Blacksburg didn't penetrate the line once and despite being a lot smaller in size they dominated the contact area. Offensively, it was difficult in the conditions, but when the ball was spun wide, the Hokies looked dangerous. Freshman wing Andrew Haskell showed a glimpse of what he is capable of this spring by scoring four tries. Bill Whalen also went over.

A very young and inexperienced JV side took the field for the second two 20-minute periods. it took them some time to get used to playing together and find the level of aggression needed in defense. Blacksburg quickly scored three tries. But it was pleasing to see the JV side led by Mike Barlow, adjust at half-time and come back to score three tries of their own.

The Hokies would like to thank Blacksburg RFC for arranging this scrimmage at short notice, after out trip to Atlanta last weekend was cancelled.

Thank you to everyone that bid for the shirts - you have made this a resounding success and we have been able to raise almost $1,200 which will go towards the new scoreboard.

If you have won a shirt, please send a check for the amount you bid plus $5 shipping made payable to:


'VT Foundation (Men's Rugby)'
805 Elliott Drive
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060

1. Jeff Stephens 
2. Patrick Buck 
3. Adam Gehlert 
4. Mike Streiker
5. Patrick Buck
6. Eric Devine
7. Lee Doyle
8. Wes Maxey
9. Devin Roller
10. Mike Beckner
11. Pierre De Lorme
12. Jonathan You
13. Bob Murray
14. Mike Chorney
15. Matt Boone
17. Lisa Niblock
18. Eric Gartenberg
19. Martin sexton
20. Nathan Gaertner
21. Adam Scouse
22. Tony Pianta


Any questions please contact Coach Richards

The shirt auction has been a huge success so far and we have bids that total $1,000.

There is still one week left to go, final bids must be with me by 5pm 10th February. I will inform the winners.

There are still several shirts that have no bids - 
No 2 - Extra large 
No 5 - Extra large
No 19 - Large

Thanks to everyone for their support.

We now have a second set of the new Adidas kit, which means that we will have several sets of shirts that will go unused. Some time ago there were several people who asked if they could get some shirts that we are using.
Well, here's your chance! We are holding a silent auction of the Canterbury shirts that we wore last year. All these shirts are in excellent condition.

The auction will work like this:
Each shirt will have a reserve price of $25 plus $5 shipping.
All you need do is email Coach Richards with your bid and what shirt number you want to bid for.
The highest bidder to contact us by 5pm 10th February will win the shirt.
If there are any shirts not bid for on the 10th February, we will offer those numbers again.
All proceeds of the auction will go towards the Electronic scoreboard.

Shirt sizes and numbers:

Numbers 1-5 Extra Large
Numbers 6 -8 Large
Numbers 9 - 11 Medium
Numbers 12 & 13 Large
Numbers 14 & 15 Medium
Number 17 & 18 Extra Large
Number 19 & 20 Large
Numbers 21 & 22 Medium

Phase One of the ground refurbishment is now complete. Custom made post pads and corner flags have been added to the new goalposts which went up in the summer.

We will now be concentrating on the next item that is badly needed at the field; an electronic scoreboard. Fundraising has commenced and we are now asking for donations. Large or small all donations are accepted. The scoreboard has sponsorship opportunities - if your company wants to display on the scoreboard then we are open to offers.

The Hokies are back in training and working hard towards a run at the Atlantic Coast Rugby League title. We are training six days a week and have been helped by being allowed to use the Athletics Department turf field opposite Lane Stadium. Rec Sports has also opened a portion of its IM fields for clubs to use. And on tuesday nights, the team has hired an aerobics instructor and studio through Rec Sports. 

Our ACRL campaign starts against NC State in Raleigh on 25th February.

For about 50 minutes it was a hard fought game. Radford University reserves were a tough team to break down and were right in it at 19-12 until the Hokies stepped up a gear or two and ran their New River Valley neighbors ragged.

Radford came out of the blocks first and looked the more likely to score, going close to the whitewash on several occasions. Matt Murray scored first, picking a perfect line. Club president Bill Whalen then went in untouched under the posts after he took a quick tap. He scored again when he got on the end of a charged down kick. The half time score was 19-0.

Radford were no means out of it and the score didn't really reflect the chances they had in the first forty minutes. This showed when they scored twice in the first few minutes of the second half, and looked to be in ascendency with the gap now down to just one score. 

But Matt Murray soon restored Hokie dominance with a great sidestep. After this there was just one side in it. Radford never gave up but the Virginia reserve grade were able to now play some great rugby for the remainder of the game scoring frequently. Bill Whalen got his third try, on the end of some great off loading from the forwards before Jordan Hataway topped a solid performance with a try. Replacement Matt Pragdat was the beneficiary of some great back line play and outpaced the defenders for  one of his brace of tries. Bill Whalen capped a fine performance with a fourth try after freshman Aaron Everly made a 40 yard dart up up the wing, and offload for the final score.

Another really good performance by the Junior Varsity team. They finish the fall season 3-1 and should be a side pushing for the B side title in the ACRL next spring.

Virginia Tech Junior Varsity
1. Luke Keese 
2. Bill Whalen
3. Ryan Fish
4. Jamie Willis
5. Colin Dunn
6. Jordan Hataway
7. Sam Donohue
8. Mike Barlow (Capt)
9. Michael O'Brien
10. John Vicinski
11. David Christian
12. Brad Randall
13. Matt Murray
14. Carter Neal
15. Tristan Raisch

Replacements
16. Nick Funk
17. Wes Maxey
18. Richie Metz
19. Aaron Everly
20. Ian Niblock
21. Brandon McMichael
22. Michael Anderson
23. Matt Pragdat
24. Stephen Mayhugh
25. Zach Kothe

Scorers:

Tries: Whalen (4), Murray (2), Pragdat (2), Hataway, Vicinski.
Coversions: O'Brien (3)

UNC-Wilmington made the long trip to Blacksburg from the ocean and brought a ton of resolve and skill with them. Having not played each other in living memory, the sides spent the first few minutes sizing each other up with the Hokies attacking hard. But they soon found out that #14 ranked UNC-Wilmington were going to be no pushovers. A big pack of forwards in front of some pacey backs soon had them moving up the field and it was UNC-W who got on the board first with a Graham Joseph penalty. The Hokies scored after driving a line out close to the UNC-W line, Sam Shea went over from close range. But UNC-W responded with a try and led at half time 8-7.

Virginia Tech and UNC-W traded tries in the early part of the second half. Collin McClain did well to finish a flowing move from the Hokies but with five minutes left UNC-W still had a 13-12 lead. Virginia Tech had several opportunities to take the lead but couldn't quite finish the job. They then got a slice of luck when the ball went into touch off a defender and were awarded a line out 5 yards out. Vice-captain Ryan McGrath called for the maul and went over for the score. UNC-W went on the attack and looked likely to score but lost the ball and the Hokies were quick to counter deep in their own half which led to freshman Michael O'Brien touching down for the clinching score. Captain Matt Heitzer slotted the conversion.

The final score of 24-13 does not reflect the game. UNC-W have every right to feel they could have won it. UNC-W will be a force to be reckoned with by the time the D2 playoffs come round. Both coaches have provisionally agreed to a re-match next fall in Wilmington, North Carolina. 

This Hokie team can feel very pleased with their efforts. Special mention must go to Mark Measell who came into the Varsity side for the first time at scrum half replacing the injured Austin Himes - he played well and gave good service to the backs. Virginia Tech also said goodbye to Seniors Andrew Seufert and Andrew Miller. Alex Papas also returns to Australia after his one year exchange in Blacksburg.

Its been almost a year since Virginia Tech have won a tight game like this, and have sometimes been found wanting, unable to finish the job in the end. There is a new sense of purpose and collective responsibility - this game could well prove to be a watershed for this team.

Virginia Tech Varsity Team
1. Sam Shea (Sophomore)
2. Kevin Hurley (Junior)
3. Carl Katz (Junior
4. Eric Higgins (Junior)
5. Ron Pelkey (Junior)
6. Ryan McGrath (Junior) - Vice Captain
7. Alex Papas (Senior)
8. Mic Minichiello (Sophomore)
9. Mark Measell (Sophomore)
10. Brian Kelly (Junior)
11. Collin McClain (Sophomore)
12. Matt Heitzer (Senior) - Captain
13. Andrew Seufert (Senior)
14. Andrew Haskell (Freshman)
15. Michael O'Brien (Freshman)

Replacements:
16. Ryan Fish (Senior)
17. Bill Whalen (Senior)
18. Sam Donahue (Freshman)
19. Matt Murray (Sophomore)
20. Luke Keese ((Sophomore)

Scorers:
Tries: Shea, McClain, Mc Grath, O'Brien
Conversions: Seufert, Heitzer

The Junior Varsity team then took on Elon University and won 29-0. They started out strongly with the Hokie forwards clearly in the ascendency. Elon looked to have some good backs and threatened on several occasions but the JV's defense held firm. Ryan Fish got on the end of a Brett Keyes pass and scampered over. Fish then became provider making a break up the left, showing what losing 20 ponds in weight can do for a prop. He off-loaded to Jamie Willis who ran around under the posts. Keyes added the conversion. Nick Funk then got in on the act crashing over to make the score 17-0 at half time. Hokie dominance continued in the second half with another two tries. The game finished 29-0.

This was a really good performance from the JV team. They are another young side that is improving under leadership of captain Mike Barlow. Next week the JV side will take on Radford's B side in an exhibition match as part of the Virginia Tech Open House.

Frustration, disappointment, anger - the whole gambit of emotions were on display Saturday when someone in the University of Virginia administration decided to cancel all rugby in Charlottesville at 9.05am on Saturday morning. Parents, players, members of the alumni were all headed that way when the plug was pulled. On Friday the UVA rugby teams had been guaranteed use of their field despite the weather, but alas we now know that sometimes, the strings get pulled a little higher up the food chain with no consideration to consequences for others.

Since then, both teams have tried to reschedule the shield games this fall. Only the women's game will take place this year - the VRU title rides on it so it needs to be resolved this side of the holidays. The men will now double up their 7th April Atlantic Coast Rugby League game in Blacksburg; the Commonwealth Shield will also be decided that day as well. It is hoped that the men's alumni shield will be played for also. More details concerning this weekend will follow in due course.

The Hokies have to now re-focus on this Saturday. The varsity team will lock horns with ever improving #12 ranked Division 2 team UNC-Wilmington, who have recently ran close ACRL rivals UNC and NC State. They have several NCRU Collegiate All Stars in the ranks and will be a tough nut to crack. The Junior Varsity team will take on another North Carolina school, Elon University.

Kick off for the Varsity game is 1pm, the JV game will follow on afterwards.

Virginia Tech Varsity Team

1. Sam Shea (Junior)
2. Kevin Hurley (Junior)
3. Carl Katz (Junior
4. Eric Higgins (Sophomore)
5. Ron Pelkey (Junior)
6. Ryan McGrath (Junior)
7. Alex Papas (Senior)
8. Mic Minichiello (Sophomore)
9. Austin Himes (Sophomore)
10. Brian Kelly (Junior)
11. Andrew Miller (Senior)
12. Matt Heitzer (Senior)
13. Andrew Seufert (Senior)
14. Andrew Haskell (Freshman)
15. Michael O'Brien (Freshman)

Replacements:
16. Ryan Fish (Senior)
17. Bill Whalen (Senior)
18. Sam Donahue (Freshman)
19. Matt Murray (Sophomore)
20. Collin McClain (Sophomore)
21. Luke Keese ((Sophomore)