The Yale University Rugby Football Club

YALE 35 - UCONN 12

This past Saturday Yale hosted UCONN in a rematch of their preseason scrimmage in the Division I consolation finals and for fifth place overall in Division I. Despite carrying numerous injuries, and surviving an early scare, Yale was able to turn the tables on the poor preseason loss to the Huskies, and were able to come away with a convincing 35 – 12 victory.

Playing in perfect early Saturday morning conditions, Yale began the game with very little gusto and enthusiasm. UCONN kicked off deep into Yale territory and were able to take possession away from Yale with ease. UCONN’s phase-play was efficient and well structured and resulted with a try right between the uprights with only a few minutes on the clock. After the ensuing conversion Yale found itself in an ominous 7 – 0 hole.

Yale was not to be discouraged however. Inspired by the play of flanker Sean Walbridge ’08, Yale was to pick up their game and retain possession and build phases. Yale’s efforts were to be rewarded with a spectacular try in the corner by winger Sam White ’08 after Yale’s backs and forwards were able to combine to carry the ball 60 meters and tear through the UCONN defense.

After a Bobby Cardone ’06 penalty, Yale would score again through a penalty try awarded after scrumhalf Matt Finkelstein ’07 took a quick tap 5 meters out and was tackled before the UCONN players retreated all the way to the try line. With the conversion Yale took a 15 – 8 lead.

A resilient UCONN side would persist however, and were rewarded for their efforts with a try of their own, bringing the halftime score to 15 – 12.

That would prove all the scoring UCONN would do on the day as Yale ran away with the second half. Excellent phase play and linking between forwards and backs, combined with clean offloading in tackles meant Yale would run in a further three tries and Cardone would convert another penalty. Yale’s backline played the most cohesive game yet this season, seeing holes and punishing the UCONN defense. Indicative of the success of Yale’s game plan were the two tries scored by Cardone, and the excellent finishing of center Jack Mahoney ’07.

Unfortunately Yale’s b-side had their match cut short due to the University’s need to use the pitch as a parking lot for the football team’s loss to Brown. Despite the disappointment, Yale’s b-side put on a valiant effort and played UCONN to a draw, which like the a-side, was an improvement upon their preseason loss to the Huskies. With the number of injuries sustained this year, Yale’s b-side has proven adept at filling in the holes and their continued support of the club has been admirable.

Yale takes this momentum into this coming week’s contest at Princeton, where Yale will compete for the annual Koranda Cup. As always, all alumni support is appreciated, and all alumni attending the football game are encouraged to stop by the rugby pitch.