Photo courtesy Raleigh Venom Rugby •
The DI Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) condensed to four teams for the 2016-17 club season and involves last year’s league semifinalists. Reigning champion Raleigh and runner-up NOVA returned to the competition as favorites, and met for the first time this fall on Saturday. The Venom won the pair’s three matches last year and extended its record to 4-0 with a 36-15 win last weekend.
“We really enjoy this match-up because we know they are going to bring it,” Raleigh flyhalf Chelsea Garber noted. “They always really challenge us in the contact area – they have big strong forwards who will poach the ball if our support isn’t quick. And their defense is solid enough that we can’t hit the ‘homerun’ on the first phase – we really have to stay disciplined and maintain possession through several phases to get in the try zone.”
Raleigh’s offensive rhythm was challenged by some ball-handling mistakes and penalties Saturday, but the team still managed to take a 19-15 lead into the break. NOVA lock Avery Rain scored the first of her two tries in the opening minutes, while wing Emily Blease accounted for the Virginia team’s third score. Sarah Rosche, Brielle Mayle and Cerrin Eldridge scored for Raleigh, but two conversions but the Venom out in front.
During halftime, the coaches’ assessment was familiar but also nuanced. Raleigh has changed over its coaching staff, but the philosophies have remained the same. Rick McBride is the new head coach, and he’s joined by assistants Tim Taillon and Mike Steiker in the forwards, and Tri Ligon and Neil Pietil in the backs.
“The new coaches aren’t changing our system from last year since it was successful – but they are playing a necessary supporting role to continue to tweak the system’s effectiveness and hold us accountable on the small details,” Garber explained.
“The new guys are mostly old Raleigh Vipers players, and so they are still heavily invested in the club and our success,” the flyhalf added. “It has been really awesome to have so many eyes on us at practice, especially as our numbers continue to improve.”
The Venom cleaned up its game in the second half, and scrumhalf T Fletcher did well to distribute ball that was coming out of the rucks cleaner and faster. Fletcher scored the first try of the second half, followed by Sara Lundy and Jaz Gray. The defensive pressure ticked up and held NOVA near its 22 meter for the majority of the second 40 for the shutout. Mayle was named forward MVP, while Garber took home backs honors.
Raleigh is now 2-0 in league play, having defeated Pittsburgh 35-0 in the league opener. NOVA beat Philadelphia 82-7 previously and is now 1-1. Raleigh plays Philadelphia, and NOVA sees Pittsburgh on Saturday for round three.
Stay tuned for club rankings this week.