The Proctor 7's results

The Proctor 7’s went one yesterday despite the cold and the rain. What was originally set up as a six team A side tournament, quickly turned into an A and B side tournament. The members of the KUA side were asked to split into two separate teams. As the split would result in more rugby for all, the boys were ready to do what needed to be done to ensure five separate matches on the day. The seven’s game is not at all like fifteens, as any player will tell you.

 

The newly formed B-side was the first to take the pitch. It should be noted that many of the players were playing a new position. KUA took on the only team that could not split into an A and B-side. Despite aggressive play, the KUA side found themselves down 10-0 at the half. But the back team of Tanner Fisher, Jonathan Li, Michael Gaw, and captain Hamson Shen, began to find the open spaces and move the ball. Forwards Cole Petrescu-Boboc, Charles Qian, and Keetae Byunn played physically throughout the match. In the end the side fell to Kearsarge 22 - 0.

 

The second match pitted the A side against Proctor’s A side. Proctor found the try area first by attacking the blind side off a scrummage and took an early 5-0 lead.   KUA had many opportunities to score, but penalties and turnovers proved costly. Antonio Suer and Elliot Stevenson had many great runs, but KUA was unable to capitalize. Brandon Yep was sidelined early on in the match, so Charles Qian came in at forward and Elliot Stevenson was moved to back. Asher Pollak, again, kept the play tight and active. The A side found their stride in the second half. Newcomer Morgan Emanuele was the first to score for KUA after a number of excellent phases. Elliot Stevenson added the conversion. With only a 7-5 lead in the final two minutes, Proctor started putting together multiple phases and moved down the pitch. KUA countered and Xavier Manning found the perfect path to the try zone. Elliot sealed the deal with the conversion kick and KUA went on to win 14-5.

 

The next match put the A side against WMS, the third prep program in the grouping. Brandon Yep was still out, and Cole, Charles, and Tanner were quick to help out where they could. In this match the KUA side truly began to find their groove. But, after the first half it was 0-0.

A scrum and a counter, however, quickly saw WMS take a 7-0 lead. Minutes later KUA pushed down the pitch and were inside their opponent’s 22-meter line. Elliot Stevenson took a pass from his brother Reese and carried the ball over the try line with a touch down.   The referee did not have a clear view of the try, but the KUA coach did. The touch judge was unable to verify that Stevenson was in touch (he was). The try was nullified. KUA lost to WMS 0-7.

 

The final A match was against the top seed Amoskeag RFC. The rain and cold was taking a toll on KUA. The standing water on the pitch was inches deep. Xavier manning, who had had a solid day of rugby, needed to be replaced. Despite solid play from Antonio, Elliot, Reese, Morgan, Asher, Cole, Tanner, and Charles, Amoskeag was able to find the try area twice each half. KUA was inside the 22 many times in the match, including what was looking like a sure try after Reese Stevenson took the ball to the 2 meter line. Unfortunately, a penalty was called and possession was lost. Though still alive late in the match (0-15), a great defensive play by Amoskeag lead to a try and conversion. The final score was 22-0.

 

The B side finished the day for KUA with a match against a mix of Amoskeag sides. Despite solid efforts from Val Klug (some great tackles), Cody Nguyen, Michael Gaw, Tanner Fisher, Keetae Byunn, Jonathan Li, Hamson Shen, and Cole Petrescu-Boboc, the Amoskeag side scored once each half. Cody Nguyen was moved from forward to back, and quickly took control of the attack. Together with Gaw, Shen, and others, the KUA side had many positive phases. By the end of the match, it was the KUA side that was playing solid 7’s rugby.

 

At the end of the day, three prep schools played for a championship. KUA beat Proctor, but lost to WMS. Proctor beat WMS. After 12 matches between A and B sides, there was no time to decide the prep champs. The result was a 3 way tie for first place. As KUA beat Proctor last year, the side repeats as top 7’s team on the day.

 

The Rugby club would like to thank the following people:

 

The Adams family for providing snacks.

The Stevenson family for providing snacks drinks and cover from the rain.

Alyssa Morris and Patsy Morgan for braving the elements and traveling to Proctor to cheer on the team.
All parents who braved the weather to cheer on their sons.

 

Leslie and Loretta Sparks (parents of Philip 11’) for attending the match on a day that was, weather wise, not very fan friendly.