Bears Beat Rams in Spring Finale

Kingstown, Rhode Island - Brown won its final spring season match in convincing fashion, beating the University of Rhode Island 44-20. Brown faced a formidable opponent and another adversary in the driving wind, rain and 45 degree temperatures at match time. URI always has size and athleticism, but the weather foiled the Rams while Brown was able to use its team pattern, speed and commitment to win the match.

In the first half Brown scored 22 unanswered points as they enjoyed the wind at their backs. The forwards made short bursts through the Ram defense, creating space for the backs. Senior wing Sam Rabb scored first as fly half Blair Cameron’13 put him away, followed by senior prop Andrew Alvarez’s try with Rabb converting, for a 12-0 lead within the first 12 minutes.

Next the juniors took over as center Dow Travers made a terrific pass out of a tackle to fellow center Taylor Peak who ran the last 10 meters untouched, and Rabb took a pass from scrum half Matt Leonard’14, upping the score to 22-0 before URI ground out a try against the wind to end the half with Brown up 22-5.

The expectation was a URI second half comeback as they had the wind, but Brown was able to score early to give the Bears a cushion and then match every URI score down the stretch.

Flanker Chaney Harrison’11.5 scored two tries within 17 minutes, both converted by Rabb  while URI scored once to increase the Brown lead to 36-10 with 20 minutes left in the match.

Although URI, using a lot of forward running, was able to score two unconverted tries in the last quarter of the match. Brown saw Peak score a 5 point try on  a pass from replacement fly half Ryan Jones’14 with Brown’s final points justly coming from a 3 point penalty kick by Rabb to end a brilliant Brown scoring career

The following seniors had some final thoughts on the match. Former captain Sam Rabb noted, “It was sweet to end the season with a W.” Fullback Rob Powell said “The team cohesion was the best it has been all spring,” and former captain Andrew Alvarez added, “Team morale and focus was the difference on the day.”

The match referee was Jess Porter