HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA - In its first conference game and season opener, the Hampden-Sydney Rugby team stung the Lynchburg College Hornets 25-10 at Venable Field on Saturday, September 17.

The Hornets put points on the board first, putting the ball in-goal for a five point try, but failed to convert on the follow-up kick.  The Tigers quickly found their footing, responding with two tries of their own, the first scored by tight-head prop Cabot Armentrout and the second by team co-captain and inside-center Phil Smith.  However, a wet ball and a muddy field combined to frustrate Hampden-Sydney full-back and kicker Everton Batista on both his conversion attempts. 

Finding a break in the Tiger defensive line, Lynchburg  scored for the last time in the game, again failing on their conversion attempt.  In a game filled with Lynchburg penalties, Everton Batista successfully pounded the ball through the posts on penalty kicks – putting the Tigers up at the half-time with a score of 13-10.

Relying on superior conditioning and skill, the Tiger forwards continued to win the scrum-downs and line-outs, allowing them to dictate the flow of the game by keeping possession of the ball throughout most of the second half.  Playing in his first rugby game, freshman standout and eight-man Ben Rhodes pounded through the Lynchburg defense to collect a third try and five more points for the Tigers. 

Following a break-away run by outside-center Will Smith that was halted mere meters from the goal line, scrum-half Willis Honeycutt snatched the ball out of the ensuing ruck and scampered unmolested in-goal, bringing the score to 23-10.  Everton Batista nailed the ball through the posts on the conversion, cashing in the Tigers for another two points. 

Hampden-Sydney rugby returns to action with its second conference match on Saturday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. vs.  the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.