Longwood University (LU) moved to 3-0 to remain on top of the Cardinals Collegiate Rugby Conference (CCRC) by beating Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), 53-7. 

Longwood dominated the game with VCU rarely getting out of their own end.

The VCU defense held tight for the first 20 minutes until LU’s Ben Smith scored a try.  Constant pressure took its toll and LU ran out to a 25-0 half-time lead with Brant Hawkins scoring as time ran out in the first half.  The second half was more of the same and LU used the opportunity for a lot of substitutions.  On the day, LU got tries from Hawkins (2), Smith (2), Adam Chamberlain (2), Matt Marino, Shane Sramek, and Mason Ramsey.  Colin McKee added four conversions.  Marino was named Man of the Match for his powerful running and strong defense at No. 8.

Radford University also remained undefeated and they moved to 2-0 after grinding out a tough 33-30 win over visiting Mary Washington. 

Playing with a strong wind at their backs, Radford had two early tries, one by flyhalf Michael Quigg and the other by wing Jordan Leahman.  Quigg converted both tries.

UMW got on the board with a penalty kick by Ryan Miller but still trailed 14-3.  A few minutes later, Leahman added a second try that Quigg converted making the score 21-3, Radford.  However, UMW refused to give in and a got a try from Juwamer Hawrami, converted by Miller, and a second penalty by Miller to narrow the score to 21-13 at halftime.  Playing with the wind in the second half, UMW mounted a comeback getting tries from Nick Ryan and Ben Britten to take a 23-21 lead.  Radford quickly answered scoring two tries, one by Leahman for his hat trick, and a fourth Quigg conversion.  With the score 33-23 in favor of Radford, UMW looked to be beaten.  However, they staged yet another comeback, with Cullen Lawlor barging over to score a try that John Brownley converted to draw UMW within three points, 33-30. 

With less than two minutes remaining, UMW took the kickoff and marched downfield. Radford’s defense held strong and forced a penalty with no time left.  The subsequent kick to touch ended an exciting and well-fought match.  Quigg Man of the Match, showing good leadership in managing his team’s attack and scoring 13 points on a try and four conversions.

In other action, the College of William and Mary ran over the University of Richmond by a score of 39-0 and moved to 2-1 in the CCRC.  The CCRC has a weekend off this coming week as schools go on fall break.  Action resumes on October 20 with compelling matchups between RU and Old Dominion and VMI and James Madison.  In addition, LU and UMW meet in a non-conference match.