Men’s rugby entered a dogfight Saturday better known as the D1 National Playoffs in San Luis Obispo, Calif., where Cal Poly (#6) proved to be the bigger dog in a 46-7 win over Wyoming (#14). Despite the loss, the Cowboys will live to fight another day.
“It was a very aggressive match, both sides came out strong,” said team captain Bobby Watkins. “Cal Poly scored first but we didn’t hold our heads down. The game was really close going into the second half and then a lack of experience got the best of us in the last twenty minutes. We continued to play strong all the way to the end of the game. I was proud of how we came to play and we never backed down!”
The Cowboys took the field and quickly leveled up to their competition at 7-all in the first half with a try from 8-man Timothy Mendoza and a conversion by scrum half Alex Knowles. The score remained tied for the bulk of the half until Cal Poly pulled away before the half 15-7.
“After the half, our inexperience showed,” said Cowboys coach David Finnoff. “Cal Poly was able to capitalize on our mistakes.”
Wyoming missed two crucial scoring opportunities in the second half, followed by veteran flanker Brandon Tritle being penalized for 10 minutes, allowing Cal Poly to break away with a large lead 39-7.
The Cowboys managed to recover a slight composure and maintain possession late into the second half. Wyoming’s gains were set back by Cal Poly’s defense and returned for another try to give Cal Poly the game 46-7.
“We played the best game of our season against Cal Poly,” said flanker Derek Eggerman. “Our support play was great, our tackles were hard and low and our rucking was phenomenal. Playing against a very experienced team really doesn’t help – there were a few instances that our fundamentals were lacking or temporarily forgotten that put up a few tries against us.”
Eggerman was later voted Man of the Match by Cal Poly for an exceptional game.
“I am incredibly honored,” said Eggerman. “I feel as though I played the best match of my life that night.”
The Cowboys, now out of the playoff run, refuse to hang their heads. After appearing in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the spirits among the rugby team remain high.
“The Wyoming team had a great run,” said Finnoff. “With six starters new to rugby this spring, and seven others playing new positions, the team came out of nowhere to make a statement that it deserved to be in the top echelon in the country… It is a testament to their hard work, commitment, dedication and good old Wyoming toughness that they were able to pull this off. I am lucky to have been a part of it. I am very, very proud of this team and the way they represented UW. They deserve to be congratulated.”
Cal Poly will continue on into the quarter-finals where they will face Arkansas State University Saturday April 26 at 1 pm.
