/

UMF ruggers are New England’s best

3 mins read


UMF forward Dan Linck overpowers Keene State jumper to secure lineout ball. (Photos thanks to Claire Steeves)

KEENE, NH – The University of Maine at Farmington men’s rugby team beat Keene State University 12-7 yesterday in Keene, N.H. in a thrilling match to decide the New England Division III College Rugby Championship.

In the end, the handling skills of the UMF backs and the sheer power of its forward pack was just enough to lift them past a determined Keene State team which was the threatening the UMF try line when the final whistle went.

UMF scored first when flyhalf Chip Burnham fed winger Derek Hanrahan who out raced the frantic Keene cover defense to score a diving try in the corner. That 5-0 lead held up until just before halftime, when an alert Keene State flanker pounced on a loose ball and went over for a solo try under UMF’s posts. After the conversion was added, Keene State led 7-5 at the break and were just 40 minutes away from earning the right to represent New England in the national D III championship in the spring.

The UMF men had other ideas though, and when the steady rain lifted at the start of the second half, they began playing with the same hard-rucking continuity that had gotten them past undefeated Bryant University the weekend before. Keene State defended well, but eventually Josh McMahon powered through several tacklers to score the go-ahead try and put UMF ahead 12-7.

There were still 25 minutes left in the match, and the Keene State flyhalf continued to test UMF with long kicks on the wet, muddy field, but wing Jake Hutchinson and fullback and man-of-the-match Dan MacGlashing fielded them all and returned most of them with interest. Meanwhile, flankers Tom Ross and Taylor Steeves were instrumental in shutting down any Keene State running attack.

Then, with the match still very much in doubt, the powerful UMF scrum took over and drove Keene State backwards in a series of set scrums that sealed the match.

When the final whistle went, UMF celebrated its championship win in front of a huge crowd of supporters that actually outnumbered the home team’s fans in both size and exuberance. Well over 100 people had travelled hours on a dreadful November day to cheer on the UMF ruggers, and the entire team was touched by that support. There were parents and students and women rugby players and alumni, and all of them played a role in a win that UMF rugby players and supporters will savor for a long time to come.


Even bad weather and tight Keene State defense still can’t stop UMF scrumhalf Sam Hill from feeding his backline.


UMF Prop Ray Link (left) and flanker Taylor Steeves show textbook form in a second half scrum.


The 2010 D-III New England Champs.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

15 Comments

  1. Congratulations UMF Ruggers ,the New England Champions on an outstanding season and three cheers to the Fans and outstanding Forward play !!!

  2. Well done guys. I am proud to have been involved from start to finish with this Senior class. From hooking you on the sport with the UNH Horsebarn tourney on Team Hustle with Ty Jelly to watching endure a drubbing in the Fall of 07, you truly have come full circle. Never before has a team had the number of players who not only know all the rules but (try their darndest most of the time) also play by them.

    You have truly taken advantage of the opportunity placed before you and hope you all continue to play long after you are gone from UMF. All those in the area, the Central Maine Stripers would love to have you and those in southern Maine, I KNOW Portland could use your youth, intelligence and athleticism.

    To all the die-hard parents and fans, THANK YOU! As obscure as Rugby is to much of the country, it is incredible as a player to have a crowd of noisy fans and parents cheering when a scrum is wheeled or D-Han makes all his kicks to push the team past Bryant in the semi’s. I know that they appreciated all the miles, baked goods and love you bestowed on this team. Even as a player, I’ve never been more proud than I was this season. Hopefully UMF’s success will continue for decades and as one crop of seasoned brothers leaves, a new group of anxious and young men step forward eager for their chance to follow in the footsteps to become “The best team eva yo.” Well done men, well done!

  3. The University of Maine at Farmington Rugby program has developed an incredibly skilled and dynamic style of play, reflecting Woody’s coaching principles. I am incredibly proud of the team’s accomplishments.

    I also want to acknowledge the Beaver founders (i.e. Kevin, Tom, John, Scott, Shannon, and Eric) who started the fledgling rugby program at Farmington over a decade ago. Go Beavers!

  4. WAY TO GO BEAVERS! It only seems like a few years ago that we were abducting lacrosse players on the way to Colby so we’d have a full 15 for a match in 6″ of fresh snow…that was April of 1992 and my first full sided match…look how far the club has come!

    Thank you Woody, none of this would have happened without your passion for the game and tireless coaching. Every one of us, from current players to the oldest of alumni, are better men today because of your influence and commitment.

  5. Way to go UMF!! Keep that momentum going til’ the Spring! Way to represent the boys from the north!!!

  6. Congratulations to all at UMF Rugby Team, look forward to seeing you all in April 2010. Take it easy on us!
    Best wishes Andy P and all at Holmes Chapel RUFC

  7. I wrote the previous comment, and, when printed,under my name is written; “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” All I can say, is that it is going to have a damn long wait.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.