The Yale University Rugby Football Club

YALE 22 - SCSU 5

This weekend marked the beginning of Yale’s preseason match play and preparation for Argentina as they faced off against Southern Connecticut State University in a preseason scrimmage held at SCSU. Yale began the match and the spring season full of confidence after a successful fall season that included a trip to the playoffs and the addition of several promising rookie members to the squad.

The match, which was divided into five 20-minute periods, began with Yale showing the customary rust that develops during a winter interlude. However, although no tries were posted, Yale spent nearly all of the first period within the 22-meter line of their opponent. A couple of knock-ons prevented what would have been two successful scores.

In the second period, Yale began to string some good play together. With the pack pushing SCSU back in scrums and Terrence De Pentheny-O’Kelly ‘07 dominating the line-outs, the Yale squad was able to maintain good field position and eventually post their first try, courtesy of Sam White ‘08, who scored on the weak side after some inspired rucking near the opponents try line. Then, on what was the play of the day, Teddy Brunzel ‘08 picked up a lose ball, made a sharp cut, and then outran two defenders for a 60 meter try.

At the beginning of the third period, Yale began to shuffle in some of their rookie players. This, however, did not slow the team’s momentum. The only try of the third period was credited to Drew Palin ‘06 of Yale, who scored on the right sideline after the ball had been swung wide. Though Yale played slightly more on their heels during the third period, some solid defensive stands on their own 5-meter line kept SCSU scoreless heading into the next period of play.

The fourth and fifth periods were played almost entirely by the rookie contingents of the two clubs. The Yale underclassmen showed no signs of their inexperience and continued the pattern of play that had been established by the upperclassmen. Cameron Maloney ‘08 played well in the line-outs, while Drew Palin ‘06 notched his second try of the day in the back-line. Though the squad gave up its first and only try of the day in the second to last period, the overall play was very good and gives promise to the future of Yale Rugby.