Tennessee 22, U. S. Naval Academy 17
October 14- (Annapolis, MD) The University of Tennessee Men's Rugby Club opened the 2004 Fall Break Tour against the U. S. Naval Academy (web site) on a Thursday afternoon in Annapolis, MD.

After 25 scoreless minutes of hard charging rugby, UT finally got on the scoreboard with Bill Bayrd crashing across for the try from a line out. From the kickoff UT again pressured the Navy defense and Brett Jones dotted down UT's second try just 8 minutes later to raise the score to 10-0. Just before the half, UT stole one against the head and was rewarded for the hard work with Josh Peay getting the try. Jimmy Judge converts and we have an improbable halftime score of 17-0. The second half opened just as fierce as the first. UT continued with solid defense and finally cracked the try line again with Kevin Hartley going across after providing good pressure from a defensive scrum. Although UT got the best of the Midshipmen during the first 60 minutes, the last 20 belonged to Navy. Using good continuity and support, Navy began to work the ball into UT's end and was finally rewarded with their first points 22 minutes into the second half. Following the kickoff, Navy again put the UT defense under pressure and scored another try 9 minutes after their first points. Navy scored again 10 minutes later but there simply wasn't enough time for the Midshipmen to overcome the early deficit. As the Navy conversion attempt sailed wide left, the final whistle blew and UT had itself a hard earned victory.

Navy hadn't planned to provide UT with a B side match but was kind enough to keep their players on the field so we could get in a 30 minute period allowing all of our players at least 15 minutes of playing time in Annapolis. Navy scored twice before darkness caused the match to be called.

Line Up:
1. Chapman
2. Peay
3. Randolph
4. Nitopi
5. Bayrd
6. Hawk
7. Stump
8. Hartley
9. B. Jones
10. Baker / Woods @ 10 min.
11. S. Smith
12. DiMeola
13. T. Jones
14. Woods / Knotts @ 10 min.
15. Judge

Match Summary:
25:00 Try by Bayrd 5-0
33:00 Try by B. Jones 10-0
39:00 Try by Peay 17-0
51:00 Try by Hartley 22-0
62:00 Try by Navy 22-5
71:00 Try by Navy 22-12
82:00 Try by Navy 22-17

Referee: Unknown
Halftime: Tennessee 17, Navy 0

Tennessee 10, University of Virginia B 12
October 16- (Charlottesville, VA) The University of Virginia Men's Rugby Club (web site) asked that we play our B side first and we obliged. Play was even throughout the first half with both Tennessee and Virginia having some opportunities. Late in the first half Matt Abernathy (#8) got his hands on the ball, from the right side about ten metres out. He powered through a couple of attempted tackles and raced toward the posts and set down between them to give UT a 5-0 advantage in the 29th minute. The conversion failed and the half closed with no further scoring. The second half opened up much like the first half with both teams having opportunities but no one able to capitalize. In the 43rd minute Brian Panasuk, from his fullback position, got his hands on the ball in space. He raced 25 metres avoiding tackles and touching down under pressure on the left. This left Tennessee with a poor opportunity to convert and it failed. Tennessee was up 10-0 with 17 minutes left to play. Play resumed with both sides having possession but neither team able to mount a sustained attack. In the 55 minute UVA raced 80 meters on an intercept pass to scoring their first points to cut the lead to 10-5. At this point it seemed as if Tennessee would finish the deal as they worked their way again towards the UVA try line. Tennessee attempted to penetrate Virginia's defense with it's forwards taking the ball from the rucks. After several phases with good pressure on the UVA defense, UT mishandled a pass, knocking it forward. The referee, playing the advantage, watched as Virginia's back scooped up the ball and race the length of the field. The UVA player was pulled down about two metres out. In the ensuing wrestle for possession, UT was penalized and UVA quick tapped and sprinted the final two meters for the try. UVA converted and the final whistle blew ending the match. This finely played match by the Volunteers deserved a better ending.

Scoring Summary:
29:00 Try by Abernathy 5-0
43:00 Try by Panasuk 10-0
55:00 Try by UVA 10-5
60:00 Try by UVA 10-12

Referee: Ken Frain
Halftime: Tennessee 5, University of Virginia 0

Tennessee 18, University of Virginia A 31
October 16- (Charlottesville, VA) The A side match against the University of Virginia kicked off at 2:40 PM with the referee pulling double duty on the afternoon. Both sides were well prepared to play this important test match. Virginia struck first as they used a hard charging center to breach the Tennessee defense. The conversion failed and the score was 0-5. Tennessee pressed Virginia and in the 13th minute was awarded a penalty kick after Virginia dove over in the ruck. Jimmy Judge slotted the kick and the score was 3-5. UT kept up the pressure and in the 20th minute were awarded another penalty kick as Virginia was guilty of diving over yet again. Judge slotted the kick and the Volunteers led 6-5. UT secured ball from the restart, managed a few good phases which lead to some pick and goes from the break downs. In the 23rd minute Josh Peay took one from a ruck and plunged over for the score. The conversion failed but Tennessee was up 11-5. In the 26th minute Virginia's number 12 again took a strong ball into the UT defense, knifed his way through some poor tackle attempts and touched down the try. The conversion failed and Tennessee still lead 11-10. In the 32nd minute the Virginia center again took advantage of some poor defensive play and grounded yet another try. The conversion failed and the score stood 11-15. In the 35th minute Virginia took advantage of an errant throw by UT from a line out. Virginia's #8 gathered the loose ball stretched across for a score to make it 11-22 at the half. Both teams came out in the second half trying to match the intensity of their opposition. In the 47th minute Bill Bayrd was shown the yellow card for failing to wrap in the tackle. Virginia was awarded a penalty kick and they punished Tennessee with one between the uprights. Tennessee bowed its neck and managed to play 14 on 15 for the ten minute binning. Bayrd was allowed back on the field and both teams resumed 15 on 15. In the 62nd minute Virginia mounted an attack when UT misplayed a kick. UVA answered with a score and the score stood at 30-11. Tennessee, back at full strength, mounted a comeback. Following a series of nice inside phases, Josh Hawk picked up the ball and dove over for what appeared to the eye and on camera's film as a try; however, the try was disallowed and UT was penalized for not releasing. UT spent precious minutes remounting an attack that was capped when Josh Peay went over for a try. The conversion was good and the score stood 30-18. In the 71st minute with time running out on Tennessee, Bill Bayrd was awarded a red card for once again failing to wrap. With UT down a man, it became apparent that a comeback wasn't going to happen on this day. In the 80th minute Virginia's #5 took advantage of some poorly organized defense and plunged in for the final try. The conversion was good and the match ended 18-37. Virginia was a well coached, well disciplined team who took advantage of the opportunities presented them. They were a fine opponent and we hope to have a chance to meet them again.

Scoring Summary:
05:00 Try by UVA 0-5
13:00 PK by Judge 3-5
20:00 PK by Judge 6-5
23:00 Try by Peay 11-5
26:00 Try by UVA 11-10
32:00 Try by UVA 11-15
35:00 Try by UVA 11-22
47:00 Bayrd YC, PK by UVA 11-25
62:00 Try by UVA 11-30
68:00 Try by Peay 18-30
71:00 Bayrd RC
80:00 Try by UVA 18-37

Referee: Ken Frain
Halftime: Univ. of Tennessee 11, Univ. of Virginia 22