UMW Taking Control Of Competitive Chesapeake

UMW Taking Control Of Competitive Chesapeake

Wrapup of Chesapeake games including Mount St. Mary's, Mary Washington, Virginia Tech, Salisbury, and Maryland.

Sep 25, 2017 by Alex Goff
UMW Taking Control Of Competitive Chesapeake
The battle for places in the top four of the Chesapeake Conference continues to be a tight one, but it looks like the No. 1 spot is firmly entrenched in Federicksburg, VA

The University of Mary Washington Mothers know all about the Chesapeake's reputation for close games -- they just don't care. On Saturday, UMW won big against an improving Virginia team, shutting out the Cavaliers 88-0.

All Chesapeake Scores and Standings Here.


Freshman fullback Bradlee Nicholls scored four tries, and junior No. 8 Matthew Gordon scored three. Sophomore flyhalf Tom Williams added three tries as well and was named player of the game, but it could have been anyone.

"This was a great day of rugby and we wish UVA great luck with the remainder of their season -- they played like true gentlemen," said Gordon, the UMW team captain.

But no one seems to be safe against UMW this year, as the Mothers are now 3-0 and averaging 69 points per game. 

Things were a little closer between Mount St. Mary's and Virginia Tech. Both teams have aspirations to get into the Chesapeake championship weekend, and in this game MSM emerged as the 28-24 winner at home. Flyhalf Justin Owens and center Campbell Johnstone shined in a game the Mount sorely needed to win. The Hokies remain in second place in the conference thanks to two bonus pins in the game -- one for four tries scored and one for a close loss.

Maryland has made a move, though, beating Towson 41-37 and moving to 2-0. 

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The Terps face UMW next week. Once again, the Chesapeake is the "Conference of Close Games," with six of the 13 matchups played so far decided by a converted try or less. That's much, much more frequent than in most conferences, and that trend is a continuation from last season.

However, it wasn't close between Salisbury and Georgetown, with SU coming away as a 53-7 winner.

Virginia opened the season with a victory over Mount St. Mary's but lost two close ones before this weekend's shutout loss. Everything started out so promising for UVA, but the Cavs, along with Georgetown, are now on the outside looking in. Everyone else still has a shot at the championship game.