Siena Rugby v Syracuse Match Report

Under perfect conditions at Syracuse University, Siena Men’s Rugby delivered a statement performance, putting on a clinic in defense, execution, and lethal transition play to blow past Syracuse 52-0 in their Division 1 league opener.

From the opening kickoff, Siena set an overwhelming physical tempo. Syracuse attempted to find their footing early, but ten minutes into the match, senior Jack Burns dealt a devastating first blow. Reading the Syracuse backline like a book, Burns snatched an interception mid-flight and sprinted 30 meters untouched to open the scoring. Henry Clegg added the conversion, setting off a relentless first-half avalanche.

Only eight minutes later, senior hooker Josh Borstel punished a loose kick return, driving through contact to touch down for Siena's second try. Before Syracuse could gather themselves, Siena's impressive freshman contingent took center stage. At the 20-minute mark, freshman #5 Meyer Malherbe picked up off a quick ruck and smashed his way through the heart of the defense to score under the posts, with Clegg adding two points. Just three minutes later, fellow freshman flanker Lewis Simpson finished off a silky passing sequence to stretch the lead further.

Closing out a dominant opening half, center Harry Ryder cut back sharply against the Syracuse defensive pursuit, slicing through to score directly under the posts. Clegg's fourth successful kick sent Siena into the locker room holding a commanding 33-0 lead at the break.

Syracuse adjusted defensively at the start of the second half, but Siena remained relentless. In the 43rd minute, prop Tiago Roveto powered over the line on a heavy pick-and-go. The match then became a battle of attrition until the 67th minute, when Simpson found a crease off an inside ball to score his second try of the afternoon.

The crowning moment arrived in the 70th minute when Declan Tobin picked off a turnover deep in Siena territory and took off on a thrilling 60-meter breakaway try. Burns knocked through the final conversion, capping off a flawless 52-0 shutout for Siena.
Match Summary

Final Score: Siena 52 – 0 Syracuse
Siena Tries: Burns, Borstel, Malherbe, Simpson (2), Ryder, Roveto, Tobin
Siena Conversions: Clegg (5), Burns (1)

(2nd XV Siena 42 Syracuse 0)
Lineup
1 Tiago Roveto '28 / Jon Kubie '30 (58 min)
2 Josh Borstel '27 / Ian Dobbins '29 (58 min)
3 Shiv Kelly '29 / Chris Byun '29 (46 min)
4 Harvey Hogan '27 ©
5 Meyer Malherbe '30 / Nick Costello '29 (55 min)
6 Thomas Mann '27
7 Lewis Simpson '30
8 Anthony Guarino '27 / Clem Waquier '30 (60 min)
9 Jack Rowley '29
10 Henry Clegg '30
11 Jon Hall '28
12 Jack Burns '27 ©
13 Harry Ryder '28 / Vinny Durante '27 (60 min)
14 Preston Frazier '27 / Declan Tobin '27 (60 min)
15 Brendan Carroll '27 /Anibal Rogel '29 (70 min)

Print Friendly Version