Victory at 5th Annual Robert D'Anniballe Rugby Ruckus
Victory at 5th Annual Robert D'Anniballe Rugby Ruckus
STEUBENVILE, OH - The blazing sun of late April set the tone for the Franciscan University of Steubenville Rugby team at the fifth annual Robert D'Anniballe Rugby Ruckus played at Harding stadium. The Barons hosted the Mountaineers of West Virginia University with the Barons being victorious with a score of 36-10. This marked the last rugby game of the season and the last games for seniors Bobby Morris (scrum half), Andrew Davis (flanker, lock), Pat Salibi (fly half), and Ben Webber (prop), with Barons playing their best game of the season.
WVU placed third in the Chicken Tournament last weekend and had size to meet the ferocity of the Barons. Mike Storelli struck twice in the first half, and Bobby Morris added a try of his own. The Barons only lost three lineouts in the game, their scrums was dominant, and Hooker Frank Knoell stole several put-ins. The Mountaineers were scoreless at the half trailing 17-0.
The sun set and the lights came on for the second half. Desperate to score a try, the Mountaineers began to utilize their fabled "Rocky-ball", a vicious pick-and-go scheme that, with their size, is extremely hard to defend. The Barons were prepared, and because of brilliant tackles by the Baron forwards, made several valiant defensive stands.
WVU would not to be denied and off of a bobbled ball in the 50 minute and a bad scrum in the 67, they amassed 10 points. Those were the only points the Barons would give up.
With breathtaking running by Jonathan Cardinal, Tony Gayed, Knoell, and finishing with finesse, Storelli, ripped open the Mountaineer backline for a final score of 36-10. When asked about his last game, Senior Captain Pat Salibi said, "We dominated the game because the guys came out pumped and ready to represent Franciscan. Just ‘cause we're catholic doesn't mean we can't hit." Needless to say, with a performance like this, the Barons promise to have an exciting season next fall.
