News Article
Mother Nature unleashed a fury of frustration on Howellmoore Road Saturday as Brandywine hosted Division I power Baltimore-Chesapeake. Rain, wind, and mud combined for a sloppy day of rugby, as BRFC looked to open the spring campaign with a victory.
In the early going, points were meager at best. Ball handling seemed impossible as rain and mud combined to force knock on after knock on, resulting in turn overs and change of possession many times in the opening minutes of the match. Finally after an up and under kick, Dave Wilson was able to sprint past a Baltimore player, leap through the air with out stretched hands, and touch the ball down in the BRFC try zone awarding Brandywine its first points of the spring season. Baltimore would answer with a try, leaving the score knotted as halftime loomed.
With water logged boots seemingly weighing ten pounds more than normal, both sides faced fatigue from running in a quagmire of mud and stagnant water. Needing a jolt, and using fresh legs, the ageless vice-captain Chris Vely energized the home team with a much-needed try to start the second half. Brandywine used their forwards to thrash the Baltimore picket fence, allowing Chris to pick the ball from the back of the ruck and bulldoze his way over the try line giving Brandywine the lead.
With momentum swinging their way, Brandywine would stiffen on defense, allowing just one try to tie the game. A much needed penalty kick from Dave Bardwell and a final try from John Grace allowed Brandywine to walk off the pitch victorious.
Click here for an article on Clark DeLeon's Blog about the game.

