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Health & Fitness

Redding player named Rugby "Man of the Match"

Aspetuck Valley Rugby high school level team traveled away to Southington high school on Sunday 14th to take on the current leaders in the Connecticut division 2 rugby competition.

Aspetuck Valley Rugby high school level team travelled away to Southington high school on Sunday 14th to take on the current leaders in the Connecticut division 2 rugby competition. With spring break affecting numbers Aspetuck got off to a slow start and were caught off defensive guard a couple of times in the first half to trail 14-0 at the halftime break. Commanding some great rucking at each breakdown of free flowing play, combined with hard skilled running from the backs, it was all undone too quickly by some moments of soft defense.

“With a few key players missing from the starting line-up, there was a noticeable absence of strength in defense which showed,” stated a disappointed head coach, Mark VanEyk. “Employing a free flowing game of rugby, we were unlucky not to break the line of Southington on numerous occasions but we’ll certainly take away key points to build on this week.”

Weston’s Max Carroll in his second game at fly-half (#10) led the backline well and was rewarded with the only try of the game as a result of a beautiful 15 yard run through a gap to the try line. Carroll also converted the try in a gusty 15mph breeze for an extra 2 points.

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Ridgefield’s backline speedster (#14) Jonas Eickelmann and powerful flanker (#7) Kyle McCormack, both in their first game with the club, added pace to the breakaway and grunt to the attack, with exceptional tackling in defense.  

The top of the competition ladder host team, Southington, awarded Redding half-back (#9) Scott Dineen and Wilton’s lock (#8), and team captain, Ryan Robb as the Aspetuck players of the game. An unquestionable decision, both had great games but alone could not contain Southington’s senior-skewed team, who ran in six tries. The final score of the game was a disappointing 38-7 dropping Aspetuck Valley Rugby high school level team to 4th place on the competition ladder.

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On April 28th Aspetuck Rugby hosts Amity at Joel Barlow High School for their first home game. The high school level team game starts at 1pm so get there early and show your support for the players from your town. Aspetuck rugby’s U13 and U15 teams will also be playing their games following the high school level game. Grandstand seating and refreshments will be available. For more information on Aspetuck Valley Rugby visit the website at www.AspetuckValleyRugby.org.

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