written by: Assistant Coach Matt Heavens

The Neumann Knights traveled across Delaware County to face Haverford College, new entrants in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) Tier One. The Fords came in sporting an even 1-1 record, while the Knights stood at 2-0. 

Neumann did not waste any time getting on the board at one minute in, as Ricky Connelly crashed over from five meters out for the try. Byron Hewitt added the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Haverford responded with a try and conversion to knot the score at seven at the five minute mark. Neumann responded with a steady- multi phase attack that ended with scrum half Mike Raymond taking the penalty play across the try line putting Neumann up 12-7. A yellow card to NU  resulted in a Ford Penalty kick and a 12-10 score at 18 minutes.  Two minutes later Connelly touched down his second try to close the first half scoring upping the Knights lead to 17-10.

Pierre Thibert and Mike Steenberge each tallied a try (Hewitt conversions) in the first five minutes of the second half, boosting Neumann's advantage to 31-10. Freshman Liam Ruddy tallied the final Neumann try. Haverford added three trys, including a score on the final play of the game to end the contest at 36-27.