Hampden-Sydney, VA  On a big Homecoming Saturday the Hampden-Sydney Rugby Football Club played George Mason University in a east-division friendly. Originally scheduled as a league match, but short on player numbers and experience, GMU's squad elected to forfeit the league game and play an H-SC team composed of mainly B-side players in a friendly developmental match. The official record will show a 28-0 victory for the Tigers but the Patriots play on Saturday demonstrated that they are developing as a club. 

Play opened with a GMU try and failed kick, followed by a H-SC freshman John Clayton Topping score for the Tigers. GMU then went on a three-try run, with one completed kick and a three point penalty kick before another H-SC freshman, Lamont Hawkins, scored a try for H-SC and H-SC freshman Aiden Dore completed the kick. GMU then scored another try, equaled by a H-SC sophomore Thomas Nichols try. The close back-and-forth match continued with a GMU try and another score by Thomas Nichols and another successful kick by Aiden Dore. The well-played game provided valuable playing time and game experience to both squads. 

The Tigers will play their last regular-season match at VCU's Dorey Park on Saturday, October 28th at 1:00 pm. The Cardinal Collegiate Rugby Conference tournament will begin on Saturday, Novermber 4th  at Culpepper Sports Complex. The last week of league games will determine seeding  and the match schedule will be announced later.