The Yale University Rugby Football Club

Spring Tour

Gentlemen,

Over Spring Break, Yale Men's Rugby traveled to the beautiful city of Nassau, in the Bahamas, to soak up the sun and play some rugby.

Our first match found us pitted against a Bahamian men's team that came out firing. The Bahamas team scored first, but retaliation was provided by Flyhalf Evan Edwards '09 who used a dummy pass to throw his defenders and sprint into the try zone, scoring his first Yale try. Edwards was not the only player to score his first try, Sam Cartmell '10 came in second half as a winger, and laid the hammer down to lead Yale to its first tour victory in recent memory. Ervin Yeo also notched a try off of a Yale rolling maul in the corner. Final Score: Yale 19, Bahamas 12

---Notable play by Taylor Giffen '09 at Fullback, Sam Cartmell '10 at Wing, Evan Edwards '09 at Flyhalf

Our second match came later in the week, with injuries to key players proving to be the deciding factor in a match against Vassar College. Vassar capitalized on a wearied Yale team to put up several first half tries, but an intercepted pass was turned into a try by winger Sam White '08. Yale then responded with several tries of its own, at one point leading Vassar by two tries. However the lack of several starters hurt Yale in the second half, when Vassar used its size to push in two tries. Yale trailed by two points with only minutes left in the match, when Vassar committed a penalty. Fullback Taylor Giffen '09 gave Yale a shot at winning with his 40-yard kick, which sailed wide by inches at the top of the posts. It was a disappointing day for Yale, losing a close match to a team that should have been handled. However there were several strong points on the day, especially in the backline. Final Score: Yale 26, Vassar 28

---Notable play by Sam White '08, Mark Cotter '08, James Pollack '09

A second match against the Bahamian side was played by the Yale B-side, and although success was not to be found on the scoreboard, the class of rookies looks promising for Yale rugby's future.

UPCOMING: This Saturday, March 31st--- Yale vs. Middlebury @ Yale Rugby Fields, 12pm. There will be tailgating by Silliman College, so come enjoy the festivities and rugby as Yale takes on an old adversary in preparation for next weekend's Cherry Blossom Tournament, and Ivies the following weekend.

We look forward to your continued support, both on and off the field.

Cheers,

James Pollack '09