Roanoke Goes On The Road And Steals A Victory

RRFC traveled light, with only 14 able to make the short trip up the road to Harrisonburg. The fellas decided to stand pat and play with what they had and it paid of with a very enjoyable 39-31 win over a big Rocktown club. Roanoke's day was led by the pack of seven, including Jason Sawyers who played out of position at Hooker, but led the day with a brace of tries. Rocktown's game plan to run the multiple phases with their big pack before getting it out to the backs was punishing, but our boys were up to the challenge and the pack play led Roanoke to 31-17 lead at the half. The second half saw an immediate attack by Roanoke only to be stopped by a penalty for not releasing just yards from the line. Bolstered by this stand and fresh legs Rocktown stormed back and eventually tied the score at 31. The Ancient One, John Averill, came out of retirement yet again to lead the club from the Scrumhalf position and slotted a 40 Yard Penalty kick to give Roanoke the lead. Roanoke played with 13 men for at least the last five minutes when Winger Rick Derrico was taken down by a sniper and had to leave the pitch with a knee injury. During the two man down completion of the match Jason Sawyers scored the last of his tries bringing the final score to 39-31, Roanoke. Any number of pack players or Averil could have been the Man of the Match, but Sawyers wasn't at the Post Match Party and the honor went to Blair Willard, probably hard done to have not won it the week before, though based on his chugging abilities he might be overlooked for some time to come.