Fall 2005 Rugby Alumni Game Recap

Dear Siena Rugby Alumni and Friends,

The latest match-up between the Siena Rugby Club and its alumni was a day of firsts. This was the first time a rugby match was played during the Siena Alumni Sports Weekend, and as far as anyone could recall, it was also the first time the game had been played on a Sunday, the first time the students and the alumni split teams, and the first time the women’s team played a match against its alumnae.

On Sunday, September 25, the Siena Rugby Club and Alumni joined the rest of the Siena community to participate in the college’s official alumni game weekend by staging a fall alumni game. And considering that this was our first time participating, the turnout was excellent and those who participated either as participants or spectators had a great day. The number of players proved to be just about what was needed to stage the game, but the crowd on hand to watch was very impressive.

Due to an infusion of youth thanks to, among others, a number of the Class of 2005 and to the return of some long lost alumni making their first return to an alumni game, the Old Boys side had a new look this fall a look that seemed perhaps a little lighter and a little fitter than it had in recent years.

The Siena team, on the other hand, gave the look of a team that had recently gone through a war. Two tough conference matches one just the day before left many of the upper classmen too spent to do little more than give moral support from the sideline. The Siena team, therefore, was made up largely of lesser experienced players, many of whom were rookies or close to it. Despite the lack of experience, they stepped onto the field ready to play and gave a valiant effort from whistle to whistle.

The first period showed the inequity between the alumni and the present team, though, with the alumni jumping out to a quick 24-0 lead on the strength of superior ball retention, quick recycling from loose play and wave after wave of support. Despite the contributions of the younger alumni on the pitch, we would be remiss not to note Tom Zoyd Rienzo’s try (while cherry picking out on the wing in later phases) and Tony Leva’s successful conversion kick.

Again, with many of Siena’s regulars nursing injuries and battered bodies, it became apparent that the best way to proceed with the day was to divide the teams evenly between alumni and students. The following two periods proved the wisdom of that decision, as the Gray team defeated the Green team 12-0 in what was a hard-fought and thoroughly entertaining 30 minutes of rugby.

The day didn’t end there, however. At the end of the men’s match, it was time for the women to take the field. Although the Siena Women had a match the day before, as well, they showed up in great numbers (25 strong!). The alumnae showed up, too, with enough numbers (with a little help) to challenge the present team to a 10’s Match. In another entertaining display one that gained the women’s program more than a few admirers the alumnae side came out on top 19-0.

From an alumni perspective, the day was a smashing success. The two wins notwithstanding, the popularity of the event, the warm reception we received from the Siena administration and the supportive crowd on hand were indicators that we should be a part of such a weekend and that it can work for rugby. A special thanks to those from the Siena administration who came to enjoy the game and the post-game festivities, notably Nate Maloney, Director of Alumni Relations, John Dargenio, Athletic Director, and Kim Moutz, Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations.