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Bryn Mawr, Pa. – The Horned Toads, decimated with injuries, defeated visiting Lock Haven in a EPRU showdown Saturday on the Main Line.
Right from the start, the Toads knew that Lock Haven was a good team as Haven came right at the Toads. The first couple of minutes the Toads were getting use to each other playing different positions and the replacements filling in for the injured. Fortunately, it didn't take long and the Toads came at Lock Haven in full force winning the rucks and mauls and moving the ball amongst the backs to gain yardage.
The Toads worked the ball methodically up field concentrating on keeping possession and doing a good job recycling the ball. Led by senior captain Dawne Ballard, the Toads continually beat Lock to the ball at breakdown and rucked them off the ball. This enabled senior scrumhalf Micaela Dybbro, picked the ball and got it out to the backs. Although the backs were missing three players, junior Kira Montagno played an outstanding match at inside center and worked well with senior flyhalf Rebecca "Juice" Harmon and outside center Kendra Smythe to keep the ball moving. Smythe made a beautiful cut and passed the ball out to freshman wing Stephanie Strokis who made a break. Montagno running in support took a pass from Strokis in full stride and made a perfect pass to Smythe who dove fully extended to touch it down for a score. This put the Toads up 5-0.
Lock Haven would not roll over and play went back and forth at mid field for the middle part of the half. With less than ten minutes left in the half, Lock Haven was knocking on the door of the Toads with a couple of five yard scrums and a well timed wheel. However, the Horned Toads were relentless and refused to bend and kept Lock Haven off the scoreboard. They continually pushed Lock Haven back. Smythe kicked to give the Toads some breathing room. The half ended with the Toads leading 5-0.
The second half was all Bryn Mawr-Haverford. They came out flying winning the rucks and mauls and playing excellent team rugby. You could see that the Toads were ready to take over this match. About 5 minutes into the second half, the Toads won a ruck. Dybbro got the ball out to the backs that were hitting space and moving the ball back and forth. It was picture perfect rugby. Seven continuous passes resulted in a Tania Melo score down the sideline. That made the score 10-0.
The Toads weren't finished. After some back and forth with some kicks, the Toads again won a ruck and started the attack. Montagno took a pass from Smythe and sped down the sideline for the try; BM-H now had a 15-0 lead.
The Toads made one last attack but were unable to get the score. The whistle blew and the Toads had the win and the shutout.
Overall it was a great team win with everyone contributing. It showed the depth that the Toads are developing as some new players stepped up to fill the holes from injuries.
The win put Bryn Mawr-Haverford's record to 6-2. The Toad will travel to the Eastern Shore of Maryland as they will play Salisbury. The Gulls are members in the Potomac Rugby Union.
***Release courtesy of head coach Ron Ziegler***
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