ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Mar. 30) – The Central Washington University men's rugby team were challenged by Grand Canyon University, as the Wildcats faced a deficit at halftime. A strong defensive effort launched the Wildcats past the Antelopes 22-8 on Saturday.
"A scratchy performance to be honest," CWU head coach
Todd Thornley said. "We struggled to look after the ball on attack. We couldn't build any phases together and consequently couldn't put any scoreboard pressure on them. We spent most of the game defending and gave away too many penalties. In saying that, I'm still happy we found a way to win, yet there is a lot to fix going forward."
When the contest between the Wildcats and Antelopes got underway, it was the visitors who got on the scoreboard first. In the fourth minute, the 'Lopes chose to kick for points. Cameron Dobson converted the kick form 15-yards out, giving his team a 3-0 lead.
The Wildcats answered in the eighth minute.
Max Riseham scored his first of two try's on the day. Riseham was able to find space on the right side of the field and motor past Antelope defenders. Riseham touched the ball down near the right post, setting up a makeable kick for
Reuben Ludick. Ludick knocked it through, giving the Wildcats a 7-3 lead.
The Wildcats had several opportunities to build on their lead in the first half. In the 11
thminute, Ludick missed a kick for points. At the 15
th minute, the Wildcats suffered a penalty as they neared the try line.
The Antelopes missed an opportunity of their own. In the 18
thminute, Hayden Hill had broken free and had a great chance to put points up for his team. While running, the ball squirted out his hands and onto the turf of Tomlinson Stadium. The Wildcats recovered and took over on offense.
In the 30
th minute, the Antelopes snatched the lead from the Wildcats. Christopher Berry found open space on the left side of the field. Berry burned down the sideline before arcing through the try zone towards the left post. He touched the ball down for a try, giving the Antelopes an 8-7 lead, a lead they carried into halftime.
The Wildcats responded quickly in the second half. In the 41
stminute, Riseham scored his second try of the fixture. Riseham received the ball near midfield, made a couple Antelope defenders miss and dove in for a try. The Wildcats took the lead 14-8.
In the 48
th minute,
Riley Schell was credit with the try for the Wildcats. Schell powered in for a try with the help of his teammates who were pushing the pile. The try grew the Wildcats' lead to 19-8.
In the 71
st minute, Ludick was on for another kick for points. This time, Ludick sank the kick, putting the Wildcats up 22-8. The score remained the same until the final horn. After being down at halftime, the Wildcats held the Antelopes scoreless in the second half.
"Defensively, we decided to get off our line and chop them," Thornley said. "They are big boys, so if you try to tackle them high you'll be in for a long day. We were a little bit more clinical defensively. We have to be able to establish the ability to defend for long phases."
Saturday, the Wildcats celebrated three seniors in Ludick,
Makani Mafua and
Mark Thompson II. Coach Thornley spoke to the importance and impact all three student-athletes left on the program.
"They've been immense in turns of resetting standards off the field since I've taken over," Thornley said. "They've led from the front. Their ability and want to put their body on the line week to week for this program has been immense for us. They just lead by example. They don't say too much, but every day they were training hard. They are tough to lose. You almost get emotional thinking about it but hopefully we can keep playing in the playoffs and give them some more rugby."
