On Saturday, November 7 Ohio State made the journey to Ann Arbor to face off against the Wolverines in one of the most important matches of the year in the Big10. The winner of this game would place second overall and face Indiana the following week in Big10 Championships for a shot at the title in Rockford, Illinois. The loser would compete in the 3rd/4th place match on the same day at the same location.
Top 23:
I can say without a sliver of doubt in my mind that this was one of the most exciting rugby matches I have ever witnessed during my time here with UMRFC. Both teams put in phenomenal effort, not letting either side gain any sort of significant lead before putting points of their own up on the board.
From the kickoff at high noon, Michigan received the ball and maintained possession, pushing hard against the Ohio State defense, but unable to gain large amounts of territory per phase. When Ohio State had the ball in hand, they would large amounts of meters in relatively few phases, but consistent handling errors and knock-ons would keep them out of the try zone, and give Michigan the precious ball back. The game remained scoreless with most of the possession occurring within Michigan’s own half, but never closer than 15 meters to their try zone until halfway through the 15th minute. On a scrum to Michigan just inside Michigan’s own half, scrumhalf Guy (Buddy) Burke swung the ball out to fly half Zack (Boourns) Burns. Burns threw a dummy to the crashing inside center Cole Van Harn, pausing Ohio’s defensive drift, and swung a real pass to outside center Ronald Marine. Ronald sent it to full back Andre Cargill, who held onto it long enough to make a defender commit, then gave a final pass to the wing Matt Kasten (Kat Masten). Kasten burned around the edge. Kasten only had one man left to beat, OSU’s wing and “star player” JoJo something or other, whose name is gently whispered amongst the fan boys of Big10 rugby fans due to his apparent speed and ability to score try’s. This did not matter to Kitty Kat Masten though, and he flew down the field with plenty of speed to beat JoJo on the edge and completing the 60 meter run into the try zone, putting Michigan on the board first. Tohy Rakatovololona took the conversion and sailed the ball through the uprights. Michigan leads 7-0. Ohio State responded, fighting on the Michigan goal line for several phases until they moved the ball from the edge to the center, then followed up with a quick pick and go while the Michigan defense was still adjusting over to score a try between the posts. Conversion is good and the score is tied up 7-7 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. From the 27th minute until the 30th of the first half, Michigan fought hard on their own goal line to keep out the unwanted buckeyes. Scrums were awarded both ways and OSU even got a couple penalty kicks in the time. However Ohio State eventually made it through after going wide and taking a couple steps to slip through the Michigan defense. The kick from the corner was no good and OSU leads 7-12. OSU would score again just 2 minutes before the half was over from the edge. The conversion was missed and OSU leads 7-17. Michigan was doesn’t done with the first half though. Tohy sent a screaming grubber towards the corner of the OSU try zone and Kitty Kat Masten put on a valiant chase. The defender hanging back mishandled the ball before he could touch it down in his own zone, and Kasten quite literally dove on the opportunity, causing an eruption from the crowd and closing the gap in the score at half. Conversion is missed and Michigan trails 12-17 at the end of the first half.
Ohio State was first to score in the second half, dotting the ball down on the edge. After scoring the try, several players from both teams were holding various limbs and examining their body parts, showing the intensity and toughness of this particular match. The conversion is missed and the score is 12-22. Michigan held nothing back though, and quickly put up a try of their own from fly half and captain Zack Boourns, who broke through the OSU defensive line and ran 30 meters to score a try between the posts. Conversion from Tohy is good and Michigan closes the gap 19-22. Ohio kept up pressure on Michigan, and fought deep in Michigan’s to try to get another try, but the Michigan defense was resilient and kept them out despite a couple of close calls. Finally the tables were turned and Cole Van Harn made a break in the defensive line and offloaded to Tohy, who accelerated down the sideline. It looked as though he might score but the OSU fullback shoulder-charged him out of bounds with attempt to wrap, and was given a yellow card for dangerous play. I would also like to point out that Tohy popped right up after the hit while the OSU number 15’s scrum cap flew off from the impact and the player was definitely slow to get up. Karma I suppose. On the following plays, Michigan pounded in the ball, gaining meters ever phase until flanker Travis Sawyer made it into the try zone and put up 5 more points for Michigan. The kick from Tohy is good and Michigan takes back the lead 26-22. On the following kick off however, Ohio State caught their own kick and marched right back down the field for several phases and came out with a try of their own. The kick is short and Ohio State barely leads 26-27. Michigan took the back to the Ohio State try line after an excellent break from Tohy to gain the meters. The forwards played a bunch slow ball, trying to slam the ball in until Cole Van Harn dove into the try zone and touched ball to grass. Michigan was awarded the try and Buddy Burke had to drag and push fat and lazy OSU players off of Cole, who was at the bottom of the pile, and gave him a hand up once the pile of red and white had been cleared. The conversion from Tohy is missed and Michigan takes the lead back 31-27. It was like a case of Deja Vu as OSU once again spent many many phases in Michigan’s half of the field, constantly punching in plays but just closely getting stopped by Michigan. Unfortunately they just managed to edge around the outside again and missed their conversion, again. OSU leads 31-32. OSU follows that up with penalty kick for points and make it, making the score 31-35 and forcing Michigan to score a try to win. In the last minutes Michigan put up a tremendous effort. As time ran out they were on Ohio’s try line, trying to drive in the ball like they had done before but sadly at the very end got held up and the game ended with an OSU victory, 31-35.
Game Film:
Game Photos:
2015 Michigan vs. Ohio State
Thanks to Clarkston Photography!!
ACADEMY:
(write up coming soon)
Final Score
Michigan: 36
Ohio State: 25
Film:
Developmental Match Vs. Eastern Michigan University
Final Score:
Michigan: 24
Eastern: 29
Film:
