ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- It was a beautiful autumn day in Annapolis, Maryland. The fans were settled in at the Prusmack Rugby Center. A state of the art rugby facility, located on the U.S.Naval Academy campus. Everyone was anticipating another classic battle between Navy and Kutztown.

The Golden Bears fielded the opening kick-off and wasted no time in living up to the press releases surrounding this matchup. The boys from Kutztown controlled the tempo and the possession, as they methodically marched down the field and camped well inside the Navy red zone. After several strong Kutztown phases and a Navy knock-on, Kutztown was awarded a scrum within ten yards of the opposition's try-line. The ball was hooked and the Kutztown scrum surged forward. The Golden Bear scrum-half and vice-captain, Kekoa Kauwe gathered in his own put-in at the base of the scrum. He accelerated right; and slipped through the gap next to the ruck. He shot through and his powerful running put him into the Navy try zone at the 8:38 mark. The conversion was no good but Kutztown was in the lead, 5-0. 

The Kutztown defense was playing superbly and once again, the Golden Bears found themselves in front of the Navy goalpost. Team captain, Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe), chose to slot a penalty kick and the Golden Bears were in the lead, with 17 mins. on the score-board clock, 8-0. The Midshipmen were constantly on the attack and found the "Promised Land" at the twenty four minute mark. The conversion was good and the score read KU 8, Navy 7.

The action was intense as both teams probed for a mistake or weakness in the opposition's defense. The Kutztown backline was finding room to operate while moving back into the Navy red zone. The Kutztown forwards consistently crossed the gain line, causing the Navy forwards to concentrate on the contact point. When out of what seemed like nowhere, Matae Kvirikashvili moved to the center of the attack from his wing position and slashed through the startled Navy defense, to touch down under the posts. O'Connell followed through with the conversion and at the twenty eight mark, Kutztown was playing excellent rugby and led 15-7. 

Kutztown managed to keep Navy out of the try zone for the remainder of the first half. However, the Midshipmen did convert two penalties. The first stanza ended with Kutztown on top 15-13. 
 
The second half saw Navy score and convert at the 50:00 mark. They took the lead which they would never relinquish. As the second half unfolded, Navy stole the momentum in the contest. They converted another penalty kick, along with two more trys and conversions. The last try being an intercepted pass at the seventy nine minute mark. The Golden Bears  were very competitive and had multiple opportunities to score but suffered from a high penalty count. As well as playing the last 15 minutes of the game under the shadow of two yellow cards, awarded to a reserve prop and lock. A key factor, in a match that was much closer then the score board indicated. 
 
The Kutztown second side was involved in a very exciting, seesaw match, that saw Navy pull it out in the last few minutes of the game. The final score Navy 39, KU 33. Kutztown trys were scored by Justin Brown (New Braunfels, Texas), along with Aiden Smith (Trumbull, Conn.) and Alex Doyling who each scored two trys in the contest. 
 
RUN WITH THE BEARS !