The DIII Hudson Valley Rebels opened their 2008 season with a 46-5 victory over the visiting DII Blackthorn Rugby Club from Philadelphia. Despite cold and windy conditions both clubs were poised to start the year off with a win.

Hudson Valley would strike first as the forwards rolled their way down the field led by Joe Dabritz of Margaratville along with Jay Kimler and Rob Palmer both of Montgomery. Under the direction of scrum-half Chris Ray of Glenham and handy- work of David Mowen of Beacon the forwards maintained possession and created turnovers. The forward's running attack was led by Tim Taylor of Hyland, Chris Deloughery of New Windsor and "Man of the Match" recipient Patrick English of Goshen. Defensive play by Nate Brooks of Newburgh gave Blackthorn no other choice other then to swing the ball out to their back. The Rebels backline created space on offense and denied space on defense led by the lethal inside-outside center combination of Nate Conkey of West Point and Jay Alresch of Newburgh. The perimeter running of Mike Zentz of Cornwall, Paul Pastorini of Fishkill, Justin Bard of Poughkeepsie, Jon Jones of Hyland and Tim Duffy of West Point would be the final blow for the Rebels as they went on to overcome Blackthorn with a final score of 46 - 5.

The secondary match would fall to Blackthorn's B squad, but the game highlighted some of the Rebel's newest talent; Steve Kissenger of Montgomery, Andy Kelleman of Cornwall, Robert Deckert of Highland Mills along with the veteran play of Eric Nicholson of Glenham and Mike Rydell of Wallkill.

Scoring Summary:

Hudson Valley 46 - Blackthorn 5

Trys: (1) Mowen, David "Fooie"; (1) Deloughery, Chris; (1) Conkey, Nate; (1) Alresch, Jay; (1) Bard, Justin; (1) Jones, Jon; (2) Robertson, Brian
Kicks: (3) Jones, Jon

The Hudson Valley Rebels will face Suffolk at home this Saturday (check website for time/location).