The Cavalier daily :: Tuesday, March 30, 1971 :: University of Virginia Library

Hosting the first "Super Mud
Bowl" turned out to be a dreary
fiasco for the Virginia Rugby. 'A'
side, as it was downed by
Sud-Americano, 3-0, Saturday
afternoon on a wet Carrs Hill field.

Saturday's feature battle
between the tough Cavaliers and the
lithe Latin American team from the
Washington (D.C.) area never really
materialized due to the soggy turf.
Friday's 10 inch snowfall rapidly
melted into a pigsty on the Carrs
Hill facility. When possession was
possible by either side, kicking
seemed to be the only way to move
the ball.

Sud-Americano boasted several
former soccer players; it was this
edge in kicking prowess which gave
the visitors their slim victory. The
only score of the match came late
in the first half via a penalty kick.
Surprisingly, this kick actually went
airborne, as most of the booting
action took place along the ground
or in short grub shots.

Little Ball Movement

Virginia mounted several scoring
thrusts, but the wet conditions
would not allow them to carry the
ball much - which has been the
forte of their offense all spring.
Infractions by the visitors gave the
Cavaliers a couple of penalty kicks,
but in each instance the wet ball
did not quite make the uprights.

Kicking In The Mud

Sud-Americano's two
international side players (prop and
center) had their performances
negated by the conditions. Despite
the mud, muck, and mire the
Virginia scrum offset an 'off day'
(as expected, due to the ground) by
the backline. Rick Lawton shone at
wing forward, while Mike Scheer
and Clay Ratterre both had
outstanding field performances.
Even though jumper Scheer did
well in the lineouts, the visiting
squad prevailed. Set scrums went to
Virginia, with Mike Frakes moving
in to the scrum half slot. Though he
moved the soggy pigskin out to the
backs deftly, the footing (or lack
thereof) limited his play.

Most of the match presented
little more than a battle of
defenses. This was a switch for the
offense — oriented Virginia
delegation. But inclement weather
had hampered the 'A' side in its last
two outings. First, sleet and light
snow storm awaited them in
Washington (D.C.) a week ago in a
12-3 setback. And now snow and
wet ground have caught up with the
ruggers again.

During break, the backline hopes
to utilize its fleetness of foot in
three matches in sunny Florida.
University of Miami, University of
South Florida, and University of
Florida provide the opposition. At
their expense the 'A' side hopefully
can even out their dismal 1-3 ledger
for the spring (if it doesn't snow).

Turques Win

Also on Saturday the Turques
(B) took to the Carrs Hill pitch, but
they were somewhat more
fortunate as they came away with a
12-3 win over the second
Sud-Americano side.

Center Joe Gaber ran well
despite the inconvenience of the
mud; two tries were credited to him
for the afternoon. Flyhalf Bob Dart
found the slime to his liking, and
also picked up a try in the process.
Lock Sandy Martin anchored the
second unit of scrummers.

Fortunately, the Turques never
were in serious trouble throughout
the match. Control of all phases of
field play and ball control went to
the Cavaliers. The visitors' only
tally of the match came when
Virginia's Frank Quayle (former
grid standout, loaned to
Sud-Americano for this match only)
tried.