UMW got off to a fast start in Richmond VA vs James River Men’s Rugby club and grinded it out in the heat to win 42-12 Saturday. James River is very physical and traditionally a national contender in their division.

Senior Phillip Harrison was huge in contact and also scored UMW’s first try. Sophomore Michael Sacks was also formidable in defense at #10 as UMW was a brick wall that the bigger James River team ran into repeatedly. Senior Andrew LaMarca returned to action full time – playing a physical full 80 minutes after being out 95% of last year with injury, and being one of the leaders in the Chesapeake in try’s scored his sophomore year.

UMW just kept running with junior prop Aaron Bensink, sophomore wing Tamilore Awonusi (see video), senior center Mattson Bueche, flyhalf Michael Sacks, junior 8-man Matthew Gordon, senior prop Wyatt Priddy and finally freshman flanker Joseph Callery touching down.

UMW held James River scoreless until the 76th minute, conceding two late try’s.

UMW welcomes physical and fast-improving Salisbury to Fredericksburg next weekend for their first CCRC game – all of which are challenging.