FARMINGTON – On Saturday the University of Maine at Orono (UMO) brought its powerful rugby team to Prescott Field for a match that was likely to determine the winner of this year’s Maine Conference. In an exciting first half, the lead changed hands several times. Scrumhalf Matt Bigelow drew first blood by slotting a penalty for a 3-0 UMF lead that lasted until the UMO men’s hard-running outside center broke several tackles to score a try that, once converted, put the visitors ahead 7-3.
UMF speedster Matt Scremin, the team’s leading try scorer on the season, used his extra gear to beat several UMO defenders down the wing and put the UMF men back in front, 8-7. That try was followed by UMO score after a series of relentless pick-and-go drives by its powerful forward pack.
Unable to match their opponents brawn up front, UMF tried hard to get its backline involved, and center Nate Bachus wasn’t shy about slipping through a gap in the defense and using his own breakaway speed to notch an excellent long range try that brought the score to UMO 14, UMF 13.
With 20 minutes remaining, the match was there for the taking by either team, but UMO’s extremely strong and well coached pack of forwards upped their work rate even more and their constant pressure led to the matches two final tries and a well-deserved 28-13 victory.
The UMF men will head to Bates Friday evening for a clash under the lights there and a chance to get things back on track against a strong Bates team coached by former UMF rugby standout Mike Milliken.
For the improving UMF women, a roadtrip next Sunday to Vermont to face Castleton State College will give them a chance to notch their fall season’s first win.
