Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's rugby team kicked off their preseason with an impressive 78-0 victory on Saturday evening, showcasing their dominance against the Dukes.
The Knights controlled the game from start to finish, with standout performances from several freshmen making their debut. Head Coach Marshall Ferris reflected on the match, stating, "They made us work and fight for everything, and we were ready for that challenge."
Although Southern Virginia began the game somewhat unprepared—playing loosely with the ball and being overly eager on defense, which led to early penalties—the team quickly adapted. The Knights demonstrated resilience, steadily improved through each period, and eventually found their rhythm, which led them to a convincing victory.
Coach Ferris highlighted the impressive performances of the freshmen: "We were impressed with some of the freshmen who wore the Knights' crest for the first time in their careers," he said. "Tony Veimau at loosehead and Skylawn Feletoa at number 8 provided crucial forward momentum and were solid defensively. Zack Cummings, who started in the number 14 jersey, and Finn Bradshaw, who began on the wing and later moved to first five-eighth, seamlessly transitioned from high school rugby to the collegiate level."
While the newcomers made their mark, the returning players also performed strongly. Notable standouts included Abraham Mallam, Ammon Key, Pone Aisea, Weston Memmott, and O'Shea Settle.
Ferris singled out fullback Abraham Mallam for his exceptional play: "Abraham Mallam, the young star from Fiji, was outstanding, displaying great footwork and attacking prowess. He set up a brilliant try with a chip and regather, then perfectly placed the ball for Ammon Key to score."
The team's leaders also made a significant impact, with captain Pone Aisea leading the set pieces effectively, strongly supported by hooker Weston Memmott. O'Shea Settle had one of his best performances, managing the game effectively in attack and defense. At the same time, Zachary Jones was a constant threat in the outside channels and successfully kicked multiple goals.
As the season unfolds, the Knights know the challenges ahead in the Rugby East. Their next focus is on the Norfolk Blues RFC, one of Virginia's top senior men's clubs. This matchup will test the Knights, requiring them to raise their physicality against more experienced players—a necessary step as they prepare for Week 1 in one of the toughest collegiate rugby conferences in the country.
Ferris concluded with gratitude: "I'd like to thank referee Alex Cattermole, the administrative staff who worked hard to prepare for the game, and our training staff. Most importantly, I want to thank the fans who braved the hot conditions to support the team. The boys feed off the energy from the crowd, and we'll need that support again for our next home game on Friday, September 20th, at 5 p.m. against the United States Military Academy (Army). We hope everyone in Buena Vista will come out and help us make history."
