Intrasquad Sevens Day Two

Game 1: Stephen M. Ross 7 – James Earl Jones 25
A battle of two 0-2 teams was lopsided from the start as Steve Offringa got on the board in the first minute with an unconverted try. Offringa was on the attack throughout the game and put in a second try before half, 10-0 JEJ. The second half saw Stephen M. Ross close the gap. They were able to mount pressure deep in the Jones end and eventually Mike LaCivita picked and drove in from 5 meters out. Joel Conzelmann converted to close the game to 10-7. However, Offringa continued to find space in the Ross defense and was able to distribute tries to Kenny Andutan, Ben Clemens, and Danny DiGregorio to put the game away. All tries went unconverted, 25-7 JEJ.

Game 2: Don Canham 0 – Bennie Oosterbaan 17
Bennie and the jets were coming off a strong day 1 and didn’t stop last night. The Don’s were playing good sevens rugby though, especially in the first half. Both teams stayed strong and communicated well on defense, limiting scoring chances. Grady Bridges, Dave Hiltzik, and Chris Hopfner were dangerous in attack for Team Oosterbaan. However, the first score went to first semester player Odirichi Kanu. Bridges converted, 7-0. The pressured stayed in Bennie’s favor as their defense remained intact and stifled Team Canham. The jets used their possessions to get tries in by Bridges and the big man Sebastian Harrison. Both unconverted, Oosterbaan walks away the winner again, 17-0 against a good Canham squad.

Game 3: James J. Duderstadt 21 – Mary Sue Coleman 12
Another exciting match-up with the 2-0 Coleman team taking on the 1-1 Dudes. The Dudes came out organized and worked their possession structure well, moving the ball back and forth. The first try came from a sideline break by Matt Crabtree. Evan Noon converted, 7-0 Dudes. MSC got on the board though with a clever sideline move of their own setting Nick Marcus free. Converted by Brandon Kolk, the game was tied 7-7 at the half. The second half saw Crabtree get on the board again. Possibly the best team try yet, the Dudes possessed well in the attackin half before Crabtree made a great switch cut and Zach Kendall found him for an unconverted try. Evan Noon then tacked on a self-converted try to put the game out of reach. Brandon Kolk scored up the middle with MSC possessing late, but that was the last play of the game. 21-12 Duderstadt.

Game 4: James Earl Jones 17 – Bennie Oosterbaan 19
The Oosterbaan team was finally put to the test in game 4. Oosterbaan was able to pressure well off of the kickoff, sending Chris Hopfner at the receiving player. JEJ did well to maintain composure early but eventually Hopfner got his try which Grady Bridges converted, 7-0 Oosterbaan. Steve Offringa continued his strong night and converted his own try to tie the game at 7-7. Oosterbaan maintained pressure by attacking the scrum area. This led to an Odirichi Kanu score from 50 plus meters out. Hopfner won the restart and helped put in Dave Hiltzik for a try converted by Bridges. The 19-7 halftime score looked daunting but the second half was JEJ’s best. A cohesive defense created turnover ball at the ruck area and this advantage culminated with a Kenny Andutan score. Unconverted, JEJ needed 7 points to tie. They eventually got the try with a sideline break by player pool opportunist Joel Conzelmann. Down 2, Conzlemann needed to nail the wide conversion for the tie, but his kick went near post and the Bennies escaped with the win.

Game 5: Mary Sue Coleman 12 – Don Canham 31
This could have been the true Don Canham awaking. The Don’s have been getting better each game and it finally all came together against MSC. Ian Etheart was excellent in distributing but also showed off some speed. He was able to put two tries on the board early, outpacing Chad Kelsey and the Coleman defense for one. Etheart converted one of the tries to take a 12-0 lead. Team Mary Sue wouldn’t go away that easily though. The ferocious Karl Boothman put in a try to cut the game to 12-5. The Don’s continued pressuring through strong tackles. Louie Saravolatz was the beneficiary with a try which Etheart converted. MSC struck back with a Nick Marcus try, his second of the night. Brandon Kolk converted. However, the Don’s continued to play as a cohesive unit. Excellent communication and structure allowed Drew Vecchio to put in a try converted by Etheart. Little man Brandon Gardner capped the game with an unconverted try, 31-12 Canham.

Game 6: Stephen M. Ross 7 – James J. Duderstadt 12
The final game off the night was an excellent chance for the Ross team to get their first win. Both teams were playing a conservative game in the first half, happy to just hang on to the ball. A few handling errors also limited attacking opportunities. The only score of the first half was an Evan Noon five pointer. The second half allowed the Ross team to take their fist lead as Chris Padmos finally broke free this tournament for a try converted by Joel Conzelmann. 7-5 Ross, the Dudes were under pressure. But, as they have done the whole tournament, they maintained their structure and were content to simply keep the ball out of the other team’s hands. This possession eventually gave John Palladino an opening for a try and a 12-7 lead. The Ross team was hoping for some late game heroics and had the possession to do it. However, a knock on ended the game, 12-7 Dudes.

Standings