Padmos headed in for the game winner
Michigan vs. Grand Valley
March 24, 2012 – 1:30 pm
Riverside Park, Ann Arbor, MI
This half began with a deep kick by Michigan. The Wolverines continued to keep the pressure on as they were within 22 meters of scoring. Grand Valley responded with several kicks back to Michigan’s own half, but the Wolverine ruggers continued to drive the ball deep into the Laker’s territory. Both teams were suffering from handing errors caused by the damp conditions.
On one particular drive, Grady Bridges placed a beautiful kick out of bounds at the 22 meter line. Mike LaCivita recovered the lineout, and the ball was sent down the back line. A penalty was called on Grand Valley which gave Bridges another opportunity to kick for territory. Michigan received a lineout only 5 meters out from the try zone. Unfortunately, bad luck caused Grand Valley to recover the ball and clear it out from their territory. Joel then made a great catch to begin the counter attack.
Michigan’s superior defense shown on one particular Grand Valley break away that went all the way to the Michigan 5 meter line. With the Wolverine’s heels in their own try zone, they were able to last until Grand Valley’s mistakes resulted in a penalty, which gave Bridges the chance to kick the ball out at the 50 meter line for a lineout.
Another potential Grand Valley try was then stopped by Joel Conzelmann as he held up the ball carrier and drove him out of bounds to recover the lineout. Bridges’ kicking once again relieved the pressure from the Wolverines.
Bridges on the attack with plenty of help
The intense match between these evenly matched rugby teams continued scoreless until the Lakers were penalized within range of Bridges’ foot and Michigan Rugby went up 3 – 0 against Grand Valley. However, the Wolverines did not hold the lead for long as the Lakers put the pressure on and within only a few minutes had put the ball down in the right side of the try zone. A missed kicked left Grand Valley ahead 5 – 3 for the last few minutes before halftime.
Unfortunately, both the starting props were subbed when the second half started due to injuries (for more explicit details about the injuries, check out Michigan Rugby twitter). However, this setback only stoked the fire in the Wolverines’ hearts more. Conzelmann hit a gap with pace and broke through the defensive line for a twenty meter run before getting tangled up. The poor tackle by the fullback did not stop Conzelmann from offloading to Chris Padmos who ran the ball in for a try.
A successful conversion by Bridges left Michigan Rugby up 10 – 5! Unfortunately, the Wolverines also suffered from a bad tackle, which allowed a Grand Valley player to run for a fifty meter try. A missed conversion left the game tied at 10 – 10.
The action continued as Grand Valley rallied once again for a long try, but was stopped by a knock-on in the try zone. Their intensity increased when Michigan lost the 5 meter scrum resulting in another unconverted try by Grand Valley. Grand Valley was ahead 15 – 10.
Michigan was not beaten yet. Later, in the game a penalty by the Lakers allowed Bridges a surprise attack and he touched the ball down between the posts. Bridges also converted bringing Michigan into the lead by two points (score: 17 – 15).
Both teams were using everything they had to win this game. Another good move by a Laker allowed him to run for 50 meters resulting in a try. The lead was swapped again as Grand Valley went ahead 20 – 17.
With the game winding down, Michigan had to fight through their fatigue if they were to take the lead. It was Padmos who gave t U of M the lead for good with a nice cut back run through the GVSU defense. The try was converted and this put the Wolverines up 24 – 20. Michigan Rugby was not done though. Bridges scooped up a badly played ball off of a chip kick to score yet another try and then converted it to bring the final score to 31-20, Michigan. Go Blue!
Michigan celebrates after the final whistle
1. Spencer Scolnick
2. Pete Melgren
3. Zach Kendall
4. Sebastian Harrison
5. Drew Vecchio
6. Mike Wilinski
7. Kenny Andutan
8. Mike LaCivita
9. Karl Boothman
10. Jared Bosma
11. Matt Crabtree
12. Grady Bridges
13. Chris Padmos
14. CJ Stock
15. Joel Conzelmann
16. Ben Shapiro
17. Evan Rourke
18. Matt Pilon
19. Cole Van Harn
20. Steve Davidson
21. Evan Noon
22. John Palladino
23. Mark Borowski
Tries: Padmos 41′, 74′, Bridges 59′, 79′
Cons: Bridges 42′, 59′, 75′, 79′
Pen: Bridges 31′
Rourke for Scolnick 40′
Van Harn for Kendall 41′
Pilon for Vecchio 74′
Palladino for Padmos 79′
