The Yale University Rugby Football Club

YALE 37 - Colgate 5

The Yale Bulldogs continued their undefeated season with another playoff win this Saturday against Colgate University. The victory over Colgate marks Yale's tenth straight win this fall, but more importantly the Bulldogs will advance to the Northeastern Semifinals next weekend in Amherst, Massachusetts.

After tight games against Middlebury and Coast Guard the previous weekend, Colgate proved a weaker opponent and the Bulldogs took advantage. Yale's scrum was dominant throughout the game, as the Bulldogs were able to drive the Colgate pack backwards on both offensive and defensive puts. Three Yale tries were scored by the Bulldog pack driving the scrum into the try zone - two by flanker Sean Walbridge '08 and one by flanker Ervin Yeo '07.

Yale's support play was effective as well. Flyhalf Rob Smith '06 scored on a pass off a ruck deep in Colgate territory, and in the second half scrumhalf Garan Geist '06 found the try zone off a midfield maul. Prop Will Harper '05 demonstrated his speed as he took a pass for about forty meters and then carried three defenders into the try zone for Yale's sixth score.

Yale had numerous runs out on the wing as well. These attempts did not all end in tries but they kept pressure on the Colgate defense as Yale maintained ball possession in Colgate's half of the field for much of the game. Yale's improved tactical kicking game helped the Bulldogs in this last respect. Incidentally Colgate's lone try was scored off a Colgate stab kick that took three bad bounces and ended up in the hands of a charging opposing winger.

After a two week layoff, the Yale Killer B's retook the field Saturday and showed up in a big way, shutting out Colgate's second side by a margin of five tries. The B's dominated the opposition in nearly every aspect of the match, from hard crashing and good rucking to excellent speed and support on the wings to solid tackling and team defense. While the entire side performed well, several players elevated their level of play. Ryan Fennerty '08 had a monster game in the front row, and Pietro Deserio '07 had another strong game at lock. After finishing with the A side, center Don "Mushy" Jeon '05 broke the gainline for several long runs which would set up Yale scores. And winger Sam White '08 celebrated his first two tries as a Bulldog, the first score coming after he picked off a pass and ran the ball directly into the try zone.

As mentioned Yale will travel to Amherst, Mass. next weekend for the Division II Northeastern semifinal round. On Saturday Yale will most likely face Middlebury College, whom they beat in a close contest two weeks ago. The winner of that match will compete in the championship bout to earn a berth in the DII national tournament to be held in Spring of 2005.

Both the Saturday and Sunday matches will take place at 1:30. If you're in the area, come see the Bulldogs in action.