By Austin Danforth of the Bennington Banner

BENNINGTON — Flanker John Ulrich pounced on a fumbled ball in the Berkshire try zone late in the second half Saturday to lift the Bennington Battle Rugby Football Club to a 15-14 comeback win on Saturday at the Beech Street Field.

Bennington (4-2) led 10-7 at halftime after Matt Willey scored a try and converted two kicks. Berkshire answered with two straight tries to go ahead, 14-10, setting up Ulrich’s late score.

The loss dropped Berkshire, the Battle’s main rival, to 2-4 on the year and avenged a 17-3 loss earlier this month.

“This is how rugby is suppose to be played,” Willey said. “Eighty minutes of rugby. No one giving up and everyone focused on the goal — to win.”

“This was a good game. Both sides played hard and we were able to come out on top,” said Bennington coach Jeremiah Madison.

It was the Battle’s second straight win heading into the Division-IV tournament hosted by Berkshire on Oct. 22. Bennington outgunned Black River, 36-29, in Chester on Oct. 8.

Center Josh Weldon led the way with three tries, while Willey added another and converted 4-of-5 extra point kicks and 1-of-2 penalty kicks.