FAIRFIELD, CT – Juniors Tony Robinson and Tyreik Thomas each scored a try for the Nazareth Rugby team but a persistent grinding offense of Iona University gave the Gaels a 29-15 win Saturday in the Liberty Rugby Conference (LCR) Challenge B owl Series match.

Nazareth opened the scoring with a penalty kick by sophomore Brendan O'Neill to give Nazareth, ranked #14 in the latest National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) national poll, an early 3-0 lead.

The lead did not last long as Iona, ranked #15, got loose for a try with a run to the corner of the try zone. The conversion kick was no good and the Gaels took a slim 5-3 lead.

Nazareth regained the lead a few minutes later and a series of back-and-forth offensive moves. A scrum for Nazareth gave Robinson an opportunity and the speedy runner raced in for the try. The conversion kick failed but the Golden Flyers took the lead 8-5.

After several short runs and hard tackles for both sides, Iona finally pushed through the middle for a try but the conversion kick was no good and the lead for Iona was just 10-8 as the teams went onto the halftime break.

In the second half, Iona took off on a run up the right side for points and pushed ahead 15-8.

The Gaels threatened again but the Nazareth defense held on a try line stand and pushed Iona back but a scrum for Iona resulted in a free runner and the try with conversion kick gave Iona a 22-8 advantage.

Thomas used a run up the sideline and went in for a try near the corner and the kick was good by O'Neill to trim the lead to 22-15.

The Nazareth defense came up with another big stop later in the half but the Gaels bulled in for a try near the end of the half to take a 29-15 lead.

A late run by Nazareth was left short and Iona was able to end the game to finish with the 29-15 victory.