Furman continues to improve

Playing its first home game this fall, the Furman put together a solid two periods against Wake Forest, an emerging rugby power in the South.

Though Wake held field possession advantage, the contest was fairly evenly played in the first 25-minute period as both teams notched penalty kicks. Challenged at the break, the Paladins found a bit of offensive rhythm in the second period. Michael Erickson notched a penalty kick to give Furman a 6-3 lead before inside center Jeff Ryckman scored to give the Paladins an 11-3 advantage.

The Paladins spent much of the half inside the Wake 40-meter line and squandered several scoring opportunities with knock on and penalties.

With a final 25-minute period remaining, Furman emptied the bench, substituting 8 players. The more seasoned Wake squad quickly took advantage, running around – and sometimes over – the Paladins wings to score three trys.
Though, the final score was Wake 24 Furman 14, the Paladins first XV had earned a victory over the Wake first XV.

In the final period of the afternoon, Furman defeated an improving Lander team 10-0. Lander, played good clean rugby and pressured the Paladins for much of the 25 minute period.

Though the Paladins play was uninspiring, Furman managed two trys.

With the team entering the fall break, the Furman first XV are 6-2 with its only two losses coming to ECU in the Rucktoberfest Tournament.

Photos courtesy of Sue Erickson and Mark Rykman