September 6, 2016
Western State Men’s Rugby Gains Win Against Montana State
Doug Coil
Western State Colorado University Men’s Rugby Club played Montana State University in the first Rocky Mountain Rugby Conference match of the season. Western, who finished second in the Conference last year, emerged with the victory, 34-24.
Western took a 14 point lead early during the first half, but back-to back tries by co-captains Arik Lebeck and Ben Morris, plus a Morris conversion had Montana State right back in the match.
During the second half Western State seized the momentum in adding twenty more points.
New addition, Carter Herne from Sacramento, CA, added a final try, which Morris converted, but it was too late to change the outcome.
The Bobcats were a young teams, having 8 staters who returned from last year. Sam Collins and Josiah Gilbert played some great rugby in their first collegiate match. Cole Doty stood out in the B-side match.
The Bobcats next game is in two weeks at home against Metropolitan State University in Denver.
Western State also plays on September 17th and travels to last year’s Champion, Colorado School of Mines.
