HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-Tiger Rugby advanced to 2-1 on the season on Saturday afternoon in a nail biter vs. Virginia Military Institute's B-side. VMI found the try-zone first picking up five points at the 17 minute mark and another seven points 30 minutes into the game. Extremely windy conditions hampered the Tiger back line's attempts to pass the ball into open space. A chip-kick by Cabot Armentrout just outside VMI's 22 meter line set up Mike Williamson to scoop up the loose ball and score a try. Just three minutes before the half ended, VMI found another gap in the Tiger's defense, scoring their third try.

Down, but not out, the Tigers came back in the second half, lowering their tackles, shortening their passes, and playing almost penalty free. Jason Reese outpaced the opposing VMI backs punching in the Tigers' second try just minutes into the second half. At 65 minutes, Adam Florian scored on an eight-man pick. Completing the rookie hat trick, Alex Coleman picked up the Tigers' next try just five minutes later. Armentrout converted on three out of four kicks, adding six points to the Hampden-Sydney score. 

Hampden-Sydney's forwards dominated the scrum downs, line outs, and rucks making it impossible for VMI to control the ball for more than a few phases of play. Because of the solid defense and numerous forced turnovers, VMI was only able to score a single try in the second half, leaving the final score 26-24 in favor of Hampden-Sydney.

Hampden-Sydney Rugby returns to action in round robin play versus Christendom College, James Madison University, and Piedmont Community College on Saturday, March 24th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Venable Field.