The Yale University Rugby Football Club

7s Tournament

On Saturday, March 3rd, a squad of 10 Yale Rugby players made there way to Bedford, New Hampshire, for the Amoskeag Sevens Rugby tournament. The tournament would consist of 3 sevens matches.

In the first match against the Dartmouth 2 side, the Yale team was aggressive and motivated, but lacked organization and looked frantic at times. It was the first full-contact the players had seen this semester, and for the majority of the players it was their first ever sevens rugby experience. Dartmouth took advantage of Yale's lack of defensive structure and scored two tries in the first half, converting both. Yale quickly adapted to the sevens style of rugby and dominated most of the second half, scoring two tries to Dartmouth 2's one. However, the final whistle blew before Yale could gain the lead. The final result: a win for Dartmouth 2, 21-12-3 tries to 2.

Yale's second match put them against the Harvard 2 side. Having learnt from the mistakes of their first match, Yale played a more composed style of sevens rugby and dominated against the Harvard side. With impervious defense, good linking of the ball between players, and strong running lines, Yale scored 7 tries and conceded none. The final score: 45 - 0 to Yale.

The final match, and tournament Bowl Championship, put Yale against the Dartmouth 1 side. In a very physical game, with both sides trying to get the mental advantage, Yale used its speed and fitness to put pressure on the larger Dartmouth 1 side. Once again, Yale's defense was solid and prevented their opponents from scoring and, on offence, Yale's relentless attack and pressure at the breakdown resulted in 3 tries. The score at full-time: 17 - 0 to Yale.

Yale returned home with the Amoskeag Rugby 2007 Indoor 7's Bowl Champions' cup, having only conceded 3 tries in the first match-none in the following matches-and scoring a total of 12 tries. The teams pre-season training served them well, as they were able to keep up their stamina in the physically demanding sevens tournament.

Players: Sean Walbridge (Captain), Sherman Wang, Andy Beck, Cameron Maloney, Thomas Kidd, Evan Edwards, Sam White, Matthew Lacasse, Ervin Yeo, Sam Beutler

Yale at Western Connecticut

On a day where the weather was as inconsistent as the play, a combined side of several veterans and many rookies traveled to face Western Connecticut on their pitch in Danbury. In three thirty-minute periods of play, Yale was able to give valuable playing time to all of the rookies, as well as get the rust out of the veterans who didn't travel to the sevens tournament in New Hampshire. Despite a strong effort by Yale, the downturn in weather became a problem against a large, determined Western Connecticut team who played a style of rugby we're used to seeing from big state schools. On the day Yale came out behind on the scoreboard, but the experience was essential, since many of the players on the Yale side had never played in an actual game before. On a high note- Yale looked fit and showed impressive individual efforts by Scott Proctor, Mark Cotter, and Mike Horrell. All of the new players enjoyed cutting their teeth against Western Connecticut, and look forward to adding to their experience on the upcoming tour.