The Yale University Rugby Football Club

YALE 28 - UNH 21

This Saturday Yale hosted the University of New Hampshire for their season home opener. On a cool and dry day, Yale played a much inspired game of rugby, coming back from an 11 point deficit to win their first match of the season.

After working on fitness all week, Yale came out fired up and was able to sustain pressure and poise for the entire game. As in the past two weeks Yale opened up the game on the offensive, retaining possession and spending the majority of the first half in UNH territory. Despite the possession advantage Yale was unable to put the first points on the board. The first score came through a defensive lapse that allowed the opposition to run almost half the field for the score. Not letting themselves get despondent, Yale picked up the intensity answering back with a try of their own in the corner from fullback Sam Beutler '07. The conversion was unsuccessful bringing the score line to 7-5 in favor of UNH.

After the restart Yale again went on the offensive but again came away with no points. Another break by UNH resulted in the second UNH try of the game and a score line of 14-5. Again Yale refused to give in, continuing to absorb UNH pressure and mount an attack of their own. Starting with the ball on their own 22, Yale used the referee’s advantage call to run the ball out. After a phenomenal break by outside center Jack Mahoney '07, Yale had UNH on the ropes deep in UNH territory. After several phases Yale would again cross the line in the corner, this time through flanker Chris Hathaway '07. Another unsuccessful conversion and Yale entered the half behind by the margin of 14-10.

In the second half Yale started slowly allowing UNH another converted score and Yale fell further behind to 21-10. Those would be the last points scored by UNH on the day. After an illegal hit on flyhalf Rob Smith '06, winger Bobby Cardone '06 slotted the penalty bringing Yale to within 8. Shortly thereafter Yale would break out of their own half through the pace of winger Henry Cook '06. Setting up deep in UNH territory, Yale would eventually send prop Sherman Wang '07 over the line for a converted score. With just over 15 minutes to play Yale had come back from an 11 point deficit to lead the match 23-21.

Yale however, was not done as they maintained pressure and were able to send lock Terence De Pentheny O’Kelly '07 over for a try in the corner. When the final whistle blew Yale had won their first game of the season 28-21, and secured a bonus point for their 4 try performance.

The B-side were to play with similar poise and consistency, but were unable to pull out the victory over a UNH club with enough depth to field a C-side. After putting in two great performances this season already, the b-side again showed the depth of the club and a bright future in Division I. In the 13 - 5 loss, Yale was to open up the scoring through wing Garan Geist '06 after a blindside pass off the scrum from scrumhalf Aaron Friedman '08. UNH would answer with two tries of their own and a drop goal to settle the final score. The consistency and progression of a very green b-side has been phenomenal thus far, and the club looks forward to their continued improvement and development as the year progresses.

Special thanks must go all the alumni who showed up on the day and all the other fans in attendance. As always we appreciate your support. Next week Yale takes on rival Harvard in Cambridge, and all alumni and fans in the area are encouraged to attend.