HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-The Hampden-Sydney rugby team fell to the Christopher Newport University Captains in league play at Venable field on October 1^st. CNU put five points on the board at the seven minute mark, capitalizing on H-SC penalties and a disorganized defense. The conversion kick sailed through the middle of the posts, notching the score at 7-0. Subsequent H-SC penalties placed the Captains within range to convert on a penalty kick, raising the ante to 10-0.

Although the Tigers fought back, with a solid runs by Will Smith ('13) and Herbie Williams ('12), the Captains' rucking skills overwhelmed the Tiger pack which was unable to hold onto the ball beyond two or three phases of play. Towards the end of the first half, CNU fell victim to its own mistakes with a penalty kick awarded to H-SC. With a sure foot, Everton Batista ('12) pounded the ball through the uprights picking up 3 points for the Tigers.

The Tigers stepped up their intensity in the second half of the match with improved rucking and success in the line outs. Working the ball down the field, the Tiger attack clawed back.  Herbie Williams plowed through a hole in the Captains' goal line defense, adding five points for H-SC.  Everton Batista converted the kick, tying the score at 10-10.

Intensity levels on both teams swelled, but each team's defense shut down the other's attacks. With five minutes left in the game it appeared that it would end with a tie, but CNU exploited gaps left by a tired defense to place the ball in-goal. A successful conversion left the score at 17-10. The Tigers tried to rally to score in the final minutes of the game, but the Captains intercepted the ball and scored one more try and conversion. The 24-10 loss leaves the Tigers 1-2 and looking to avenge their losses against the Roanoke College Maroons at home on October 8^th at 3:00 P.M.