The Penn State men's rugby team had not played a match in four months, and it showed in the first half of Saturday night's game against Kutztown.

"They came out aggressive to begin the game. They really wanted it from the start," Penn State head coach Don Ferrell said.

The Ruggers would eventually win the match 30-15, but the team's slow start showed that they have a lot to work before the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) Championships beginning March 24.

"This is what these matches are all about: finding out what we need to improve on and to help get us ready for MARFUs," flyhalf Justin Hundley said.

Penn State looked sluggish from the start of the game, fumbling the opening kickoff. Meanwhile, Kutztown came out delivering punishing hits and establishing their presence early.

"For the first 30 minutes, they were more aggressive," fullback Luke Roberts said. "We started off slow and they took advantage."

Kutztown dominated the field of play, keeping the ball in Penn State territory for most of the first half. The Golden Bears pulled Ruggers off of the loose-ball pileups and, whenever the Ruggers began to put together a drive, they would come together and make a stand. The Kutztown bench yelled cheers of encouragement to the players on the field, while most of those on Penn State's side could only watch. Overall, it was the visitors that seemed more energized and more ready to play.

"The break hurt us a little," Hundley said, referring to the time between Saturday's match and their last game against Navy on Nov. 4. "It's good for resting our players, but on the other hand, it doesn't give us an opportunity to play."

Then, just as the first half was winding down, Penn State consistently pounded the Kutztown line and finally completed a try. They would score again just before the end of the half, taking with them a 10-5 lead.

"Those late tries in the first half really helped to spark us," said Hundley, who scored a try.

The Ruggers cruised in the second half, proving to be the more physical team. By the end of the match, Kutztown seemed worn down by Penn State's persistent attacks. Two quick tries by Penn State's Austin Manelick sealed the win.

"We expected to win the game, but it was a lot closer than we would have wanted," Roberts said.

While pleased with the way the team turned around in the second half, Ferrell knows his team needs to play that way for all 80 minutes if it wants to contend for a national championship.

"We got better as the game went along, and we were able to regroup in the second half and play our style of game," Ferrell said, "but I expect a lot more out of this team. We were lucky to come away with a win like that."

The Ruggers now only have games in the United Kingdom over spring break to prepare themselves for the MARFU championships.

"We're going to be playing a lot of better teams over there," Roberts said. "We're going to learn a lot for the spring playoffs."

One of the Ruggers believes that, after what the team has been through and what it plans to accomplish over the break, this is the team to beat in the upcoming tournament.

"There is no reason why we shouldn't win the MARFUs," Hundley said.