09/16/2019
**MATCH REPORT: Yale Grad Rugby v Tuck**
On a gray, misty Saturday morning the Yale Grad Rugby Men’s Team arose from their Tight and Bright induced dreams and prepared for the ride up to Hanover to take on the Tuck Rugby Team for their first game of the season. Upon arriving at the fields, the team was faced with goats on the pitch and a field that was as almost as wide as it was long (not somewhat dissimilar to some of their big men in the front row). The captains and referees decided upon a game with three, 20-minute thirds and uncontested scrums due to some inexperience on both sides of the ball. While Dartmouth appeared to have a size advantage, the Yale team looked super fit and ready to gallop.
Yale scuffed the kick off and Dartmouth went straight on the attack. Leveraging their “engine” attack system of repeated pick and drives, the large Tuck pack made steady yards up the pitch. Tackles were not being missed, however the Yale team found it hard to push the Tuck pack backwards with Matias, Claude and Nick getting dirty up front. Eventually the pressure led to a try, Dartmouth 5 – Yale 0. Off the ensuing kick-off, Brent took control of the game spinning magical balls to Vince at number 10 and putting pressure on the backline of Tuck. After some back and forth in the middle of the pitch, Ivan set Joseph off down the wing and he was brought down 10 yards from the try line. Yale was awarded a penalty at the breakdown, as Tuck scrambled to get reorganized. A quick heads-up play from Tony to take a tap and go led to a try for Vince in the corner. Dartmouth 5 – Yale 5.
The second period saw both teams really step up the quality of their rugby. Sam, Nick and Charles were absolutely bulldozing up front making big yards with their strong, smart play. It is good to see that the offseason workouts are leading to early rewards on the pitch. Yale started to show some dominance and after a magnificent backline drive, Taylor provided Joseph with a great set up for a try. Brent showed off his skill with the boot in converting and giving Yale a well-deserved lead. Dartmouth 5 – Yale 12. With both teams now remembering what rugby feels like the skill in both teams was at show. Carmen was dancing through the defense in the middle and Claude and Vince showed off their pace down the sidelines. Yale was still struggling to gain dominance in tight however and Dartmouth took advantage of some lack of experience at the breakdown to convert a penalty and also to drive over for another try just before the break. Dartmouth 15 – Yale 12.
At this point a convention was held between the referee and captains. The question was asked as to whether we wanted to continue, and without a moment of thought Yale responded in the affirmative, desperate to get a few more hits in and take advantage of superior skill and fitness. It was decided that the period would be reduced to 10 minutes due to injuries to Yale and the inexperience of some of the Tuck players. Maxence joined the boys on the pitch in a truly heroic effort. It was amazing to see new recruit Peter and Brendan as well making heads-up plays and knocking some Tuck boys on their asses. In the end the final third period resulted in no change to the score line.
Yale Grad Rugby should be very proud of their effort, especially the men getting their first taste of rugby. With some of the experience rejoining the squad for Hogfest, Yale appears to be well placed to make waves.
Final result: Dartmouth 15 – Yale 12, Man of the Match: Sam Kitara
