KINGSTON, ONTARIO, CA – Penn State and Queens met Thursday afternoon to play the first of what may become a very intense rivalry between the two schools at Nixon Field in Kingston. The Nittany Lions returned eleven starters from last season and eight players earned their first playing time in the first XV in the 4-try victory over the Gaels..
Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Rugby East) got a penalty early from the boot of scrumhalf Jim Ronan before some nifty moves in the backline set up the Gaels first try in the corner giving the hosts an early 5-3 lead after the missed conversion. After some back forth play, Penn State earned a penalty and kicked for touch ten meters from the opposition try line. After winning the lineout, Number 8 Chris Burian took the ball and the team mauled it over for the try. Ronan’s conversion attempt was good and put the Nittany Lions up 10-5.
“The boys played well today. They were uncompromising and played with a lot of determination. Chris (Burian) and the forwards led from the front. He (Burian) worked hard this summer and didn’t let anyone off easy today,” said Head Coach Blake Burdette. He continued, “we left some opportunities out there today, but we’ll learn and get on to the next task.”
Ronan added another penalty to add to the lead 13-5 and that’s where it would stay until halftime. Queens came out running hard in the second half and it took two long goal line stands before fullback Kevin Trotter held up a would be try to give the home team a 5 meter scrum. Penn State took the scrum and were able to exit leading to a Sophomore flyhalf Michael Dabulas’ try in the corner.
Queens came roaring back with a great try that cut the lead to 20-10. On the ensuing kickoff Penn State was able to get over the ball and after one pass Burian broke a few tackles to score his second try of the day. With the game the in hand, the team didn’t let up and were able to gain possession again and Burian was awarded the hat-trick with another rumbling run. Reserve scrumhalf Brendan McCabe added the conversion and made the final score 32-10.
Penn State now returns home and will host the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday September 3rd at the West Campus Fields at 11 am.
Lineup v Queens: 1. Jordan Crofts (Kevin Ndou @70), 2. Cory Klems (Thomas Capriotti @45), 3. Zach Barnes (Jack Kenney @75), 4. Ryan McNulty (Dan Featherston @65), 5. Rob Irimescu, 6. Jack McLean, 7. Malcolm May ©, 8. Chris Burian (Ryan Cornell @75), 9. Jim Ronan (Brendan McCabe @65), 10. Michael Dabulas, 11. Mike Eife, 12. Selby Niumataiwalu (Thomas Del Pino @38), 13. Tyler May, 14. Connor Cassidy (Jimmy Haley @45), 15. Kevin Trotter
Penn State 32
Tries: Burian 3, Dabulas
Conversions: Ronan, McCabe
Penalties: Ronan 2
Queens 10
Tries: 2
Conversions: None
Penalties: None
Halftime: Penn State 13 Queens 5
