St. Martin’s Victory over 901!
The Kingfisher squad arrived in Tennessee ready to initiate and dominate, starting with a match against club team 901 (ranked 23rd in the nation) in a Friday night showdown. The boys hopped off the bus after a 9 hour ride and immediately got to work. As a former player there is nothing like being able to play under the lights, and Varsity had the opportunity to have that experience with a 7pm kickoff time.
Kingfishers kicked off to 901 and the match began, and in just under 2 mins, the Kingfishers forced a penalty in 901 territory. #12 Will Van De Ryt would promptly knock in a 3-pt kick to open the scoring. Not too long after with 901 giving the ball back to St. Martins, the forwards broke the defensive line led by prop Colin Egger, who scored a try and Will made his conversion kick.
901 were clearly an athletic squad but came out of the gates a bit flat. Our boys took advantage of that fact and punished their mistakes. Another penalty in their territory resulted in another penalty kick for three, increasing the lead to 13. The boys continued to capitalize through most of the first half, especially scrum-half Robbie Ritson, who was replacing an injured JoeBob Moleski. Robbie would go on to score twice before the half ended as he dipped and darted through gaps left by the 901 defense.
Kingfishers held a 25-0 lead at the start of the second half. 901 came out to fight however and showed our boys a much stronger and organized front of attack. They made many piercing runs and revealed some defensive flaws. After some prolonged time on defense, our boys kicked the ball out of danger, deep into 901’s side of the pitch close to the try-zone. As 901 tried to work their way out, center Berkley Nordhus sniffed out a long pass being thrown and intercepted the ball scoring a try. Moments later, Robbie Ritson would once again add to his tally and complete the hat-trick of tries as he broke the line making the score 37-0.
901’s more fierce runs would finally come to fruition as they tore through the line and joined the scoreboard with a try of their own. A little too late though and with only 10 minutes left, the Kingfishers locked things down for good on defense. Winger Sam Egger would put a lid on the outing, forcing the ball out of the opponents hands and sprinting about 40 meters for a try. Will would knock the conversion kick through and the game finished 44 - 7.
A big shoutout to 901 for being tremendous hosts!
Man of the Match: Robbie Ritson
