2/15/2010
Westlake Easily handles Strake Jesuit
Last Saturday afternoon the Westlake Rugby squad hosted Strake Jesuit and notched another victory in its so far perfect season by beating the Houston team 47-10. Although the match itself proved an exciting display of rugby, the pre-match ceremonies meant much more to the Westlake faithful.
Both teams assembled at mid field before the match and, in a ceremony that was both moving and inspiring, the Strake Jesuit team presented a team jersey to Chris Van Datta, the 2-year veteran Westlake rugger that was injured during a rugby match two weeks ago against the Woodlands. Jesuit’s coach observed that the entire rugby community suffers when one of its own is injured and his team wanted to demonstrate its support for one of Westlake’s own. Chris Van Datta, who is recovering rapidly from the injury and hopes to retake the rugby pitch soon, was grateful and inspiring in his remarks to both teams and both sets of fans were moved by the gesture.
Once the match got underway, scrum half Connor McNally got the Chaps’ scoring off to an early start when he took advantage of a penalty deep in Strake’s territory and scored off a quick tap and go in front of the try line. Westlake’s team speed, especially from its backs, proved too much for Jesuit. Wing Vince Costa and full back James Robison also scored for Westlake during the period. And late in the period the scrum got into the act as Alex Putnam rumbled across the try line. Evan Von Zur Muehlen’s four conversion kicks during the period were all good, and at half time, Westlake led by the comfortable margin of 28-0
Westlake continued its dominance in the second period as it seemingly scored at will. Flanker Rogan Lye scored early in the period and McNally scored his second try of the match on another penalty deep in Strake’s territory. Reid McMenamin capped off Westlake’s scoring with a try late in the match and Alex Lokken was good on two conversion kicks. Although Strake did manage to score ten points in the period, Westlake kept the Houstonians in check for the entire match and won by a score of 47-10.
The teams’ second sides met in the final match of the day in what had to have been one of the most one-sided contests Westlake rugby fans had ever seen. Westlake managed to score fifteen tries during the match. McMenamin at scrum half led all scorers with a hat trick, and fly half Thomas Robison scored two tries. Aside from McMenamin and Robison, tries were also scored by Chris Canter, Daniel Twomey, Jackson Smith, Eric Wiggen, James Savard, Lane Scarborough, Jordan Cox, Justin Brown, and Charlie Copa. Eric Wiggen made four conversion kicks and Reid McMenamin and Zac Clark each added a conversion kick to bring the final score to 87-0.
-Charles Vermont