(Click to enlarge)

NC State played its first Friday night match under the lights at the Miller IM Fields on Oct. 3^rd. The matches opened in a contest with State’s 2^nd side taking on the NC State Old Boys in an exciting alumni match. The old boys showed their talent and put their experience to use as they attacked aggressively against the younger players. The Old Boys were able to put several tries on the board quickly before the current NC State guys were able to get their defense together. The half quickly came with the Old Boys dominating play. States regrouped at half time and began creating some offensive opportunities, but were not able to capitalize. The wily Old Boys continued to battle and grounded the ball in goal several more times, bringing the final score to 37 to 0 in the Old Boys favor. The match was well received by all and the club looks forward to hosting another alumni match next year.

Immediately after the alumni match, NC State’s took on East Carolina University. With the lights shining down, State took a quick lead in the first few minutes with 2^nd row Wes Hockaday driving into goal after off of some good aggressive work by the forwards. The score stood 5 – 0 with the missed conversion. ECU quickly rebounded showing why they won the South last year as they began to attack quickly off of the rucks and then spun the ball wide to put two tries on the board bringing the score to 10 to 5. State capitalized late in the second half with a penalty kick at goal by Will Teague bringing the score 8 – 10. ECU was not to be undone as superb support and a breakaway run added their third try of the night to the scoreboard. State began to give up several penalties close to their 22m line and ECU converted one kick at goal bringing the score at the half to 8 – 20.

State regrouped in the second half as a couple of substitutions put some energy back into the side. With a new focus on solid rucking, State began to put some attacks together. State center David Hunt was able to carry into goal, but the try was called back, though the penalty was awarded to State due to dangerous play. ECU showed their strong defensive will with solid tackling and ball recovery stopping NC State’s scoring drive and quickly beginning their own. Charging through NC State’s defenders they demonstrated excellent ball handling skills with quick offloads to waiting support. Putting two more tries on the board with one converted. NC State dug deep again and began to attack with hard nosed rucking rugby and gained some ball control, driving down the field. With a hard drive off of the ruck, and NC State player was able to cross into goal and touch the ball down, just as the referee signaled a penalty awarded for State due to dangerous play. Not to have the same mistake repeated, State worked a quick ruck into a maul and flanker Linden Kinnaird rolled off with the ball to drive through defenders into goal. ECU was able to recover the kickoff and showed superb back play and support to put their last try of the match on the board. State rallied again and began another drive with little time left. State closed in on the goal line and set up for an attacking scrum 10 meters from goal when the final whistle was blown. The final score was 13 – 37 in ECU’s favor.

Match report prepared by Jeremy Goodwin