University at Buffalo VS St. Bonaventure University

Rugby East Conference rivals The University at Buffalo and St. Bonaventure went head-to-head in the Plate match at the ACRC7s in Virginia Beach last weekend. While size and speed were prominent on both sides, St. Bonaventure's powerful defensive pressure and ball control proved the difference in a 31-5 outcome. 

Buffalo touched down in the corner to start the scoring in what would turn out to be their only try of the game. Soon after, St. Bonaventure’s Jordan Farrant got the ball after a line break by John Sullivan. Daniel Dillon slotted a tough conversion for the 7-5 lead. 

Greg Johnson was next across the try line. Following the conversion by Dillon, the Bonnies were up 12-5 at the half.

Three minutes into the second half it was Johnson again, nabbing a pass from Alex Alonso and streaking up the middle for a 50 meter try. It was then Alonso’s turn over the line, making it 26-5 after the conversion.

The Bonnies capped the game by forcing a turnover on their own try line. After possession was wrenched from the Bulls, Dan Dillon went 80 meters for the unconverted try. Final score: St. Bonaventure 31, Buffalo 5. 

Game Notes

St. Bonaventure subbed in Connor LoMonaco for Johnson after his second try, though he was playing with a high ankle sprain. “[He] wanted to be on the field for his last match as a Bonnie against our biggest rival UB,” coach Clarence Picard said. “It’s always a tough match and he’s the type of guy who couldn’t watch it from the sideline.”
 
Both teams made an impressive showing in Virginia Beach. The Bonnies’ only two losses on the weekend came at the hands of Cup Champion Kutztown. Buffalo would go 3-3 on the weekend, their other losses coming against semifinalist St. Joes and tournament runner-up AIC.