The Yale University Rugby Football Club

YALE 15 - Dartmouth 36

It was a beautiful day for rugby. The weather was great as the only two undefeated IVY teams faced off in New Haven. Yale was geared up for a battle, but things started poorly for the Bulldogs. Just 5 minutes in, Dartmouth was able to win a lineout and put together a successful driving maul. After another phase or two, Dartmouth was able to punch a try in off the loose play (+7). 3 minutes later, it was like deja vu and Dartmouth was able to scores another try (+5). Yale was able to battle back and the game saw field position move back and forth. Dartmouth was able to score two more tries, one from an 8man pick and another from a defensive breakdown off the side of the ruck. Both tries were converted. In the 28th minute, Yale was finally able to slot a penalty kick from about 30 meters out. The last 12 minutes of the half was a great battle of back and forth physical rugby, with neither defense giving ground. The half time score was 26-3 Dartmouth.After regrouping at half time, Yale was able to get a quick score off the side of a ruck in the 3rd minute of the half (+5). Yale seized some momentum and was able to score a great try thought the centers, off a line out in the 17th minute. (+7). As the score tighten up, the defense got more and more physical. Dartmouth was able to score a converted try in the 23rd minute. After some more stout defense and a couple of deep defensive stands, Dartmouth converted a drop goal in the 33rd minute to end the scoring for the day (+3).

Commentary: Overall Yale played some of its finest rugby in years. The defense was great and it didn’t let the dangerous Dartmouth backs score a single try out wide. The set pieces were fairly even throughout the day. The defense was great by both teams. This is the first time in many years, Yale was able to out score Dartmouth in any given half. It was an overall excellent effort by the Bulldogs.