Volume CXXXIII, Number 3 September 21, 2001 f

Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead:
Bowdoin men destroy Bates in opening scrimmage
HUGH HILL
Staff Writer

Early last Saturday morning, the men of Bowdoin Rugby assembled behind Farley Field House. The anticipation was palpable as the boys in black put on their kits and strapped on their boots. They knew that within a matter of minutes, they would deliver four punishing scores in their victory over the Bates Bobcats.

Senior golden boy Mike "Doza" Carlson poignantly captured the mood. "I was so pumped that I couldn't even sleep last night. My housemates had to restrain me from tearing down the walls," he said. "We're going to run over those Bates Bobcats."

Doza's sentiments were echoed by many of his teammates, who were eager to start their championship season.

Sophomore rugger Ryan Chisholm takes a crack in practice this week. (Karstan Moran, Bowdoin Orient)

The ferocity of the ruggers was apparent even in the opening minutes of the game. Hooker Nathaniel "Crabs" Wolf '02, toughened by being raised barefoot amongst the wolves in the mountains of Vermont, immediately made his presence felt upon the field. Using his diminutive stature and amazing speed to his advantage, Crabs made some of the day's finest hits in those first few minutes.

The real power came from forward captain Billy Soares '02, who delivered punishing blows that sent the Bates boys reeling. Soares, known for entering a berseker-like state upon the field, teamed up with his cooler-headed fellow senior Kristopher "Jaws" Bosse to guarantee Polar Bear posession of the ball at every ruck.

With this amazing duo in the front, the back row was able to put the ball over the tryline four times with amazing precision. Club president Rob Mandle '02 made two of these scores. A former track star, Mandle now focuses exclusively upon rugby because he prefers its "more laid back, less-regimented style of play," he said. Whatever his reasons, Mandle's track abilities shone through as he streaked through Bates defenders.

Another back who made his presence felt was junior Dennis Kiley. As was mentioned last week, there were worries as to whether or not Kiley could return to his former level of performance after his injuries last year. He left no doubt in anyone's mind about that on Saturday morning when he scored a solid try off an assist from senior Tory "Hands" Lidell.

As in every great battle, there was a cost to victory. During the match, Colin "Wendy" Heinle '03 was caught in the friendly fire of fellow junior Dave Kirkland. Wendy, out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle, is philosophical about the whole affair. "Sure, I'm angry that I'm on crutches, but I'm consoled by the fact that I got hurt trying to do what's most important, puting the ball in the opponent's try-zone."

There were other injuries as well. Sophomore Warren Dubitsky, who personally caused almost a dozen concussions and other serious injuries amongst the Bobcats, seperated his shoulder while trying to take on the entire Bates pack.

Additionally, an untold number of Bates players were seriously hurt, some critically, when senior Aryeh "Flabio" Jasper unleashed his signiature belly flop block. New England Rugby Football Union officials are still out as to whether this is a technically legal move.

Head Coach Rick Scala, when asked about the victory, was ebulliant. "These guys are great. I couldn't ask for a better group of seniors to lead this team," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind that we are going to New Englands [the championship tournament] this year. It really gets my blood flowing. God, I'm excited."

The ruggers face far-off Plymouth State tomorrow, a match which is expected to be a protracted and bloody affair. But the team leadership is confident of victory. There have been rumours of the black pack utilizing some secret Irish coaching techniques to ensure victory. Whether this is true or not, anyone who is out behind Farley in the afternoon can see that the ruggers are training hard for what many view as a critical victory.

When asked why he was so optimistic about his team's chances for this Saturday, back captain Jason Pietrafitta '02 provided critical insight in listing the team's three key elements: "We're faster, we're stronger, and we're better," he said.

So if you're in the New Hampshire area tomorrow, come on over to Plymouth State to watch the men's rugby team continue its championship season. It's going to be great.