The Yale University Rugby Football Club

Yale Earns First Win of Season Against Northeastern

A Side

Yale earned its first win of the season against a tough and aggressive Northeastern team this Sunday. The early minutes of the game started well for Yale. We were able to put together some good multiple-phase possessions and recycled well. About 8 minutes into the game, a Yale forward took a pass from the scrum half on the 6th phase, ran without support and turned over the ball. Northeastern was able to muster a quick attack, and after a few phases and a Yale penalty they were on the board 5-0. Northeastern continued to play hard, with good hard defense and aggression. Northeastern worked back into Yale's end and were able to secure a lineout at our 22m. Yale was able to steal the ball, but the ensuing kick missed touched and the Northeastern winger was allowed to get to the outside and scored, bringing the score to Northeastern 12- Yale 0. Yale was able to bounce back on the next kickoff, recycling the ball well. Yale's forwards were able to attack off the edges effectively and wear down Northeastern's defense. Finally, tighthead prop Mike Horrell '10 was able to secure ball and smash into the try zone. The count was then Northeastern 12 - Yale 5. That score was crucial, as Northeastern began to get frustrated and lose confidence. However, they bounced back quickly, stole a scrum, broke a few poor tackles, and they were able to gather a grub kick up the middle in our try zone to put another 5 points on the board. Unfazed and keeping composure, Yale was able to gain ground off the kick off and work a 6 phase try into the try zone just before half. Great recycling and back work put wing Taylor Giffen '09 away into the zone. At half, Northeastern lead 17-12. Yale's first half wasn't of the highest quality. A poor kicking game and missed tackles allowed an aggressive Northeastern team to better us in the first half.

The second half saw the dynamic Yale team of the last few weeks emerge. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, flyhalf Evan Edwards '09 was able to slot 2 30+ meter penalty kicks to give Yale the lead 18-17 and NE began to crack, showing signs of team disunion. The rest of the match saw Yale dominate ball possession, set pieces and field position. About half way through the second half, Yale's own flanker Tim "The Lineout Vacuum" Shriver '11 managed a great two on one on the right wing to put winger Matt Lacasse '10 away in the corner. This brought the tally to Yale 22-NE 17. About 10 minutes later center Pat Madden '10 kicked a nice grubber behind the Northeastern backline into the corner and winger Matt Lacasse '10 was once again able to capitalize, gathering the ball and diving into the try zone. This put Yale up 28-17. Northeastern, upset, aggressive, but disorganized, was able to mount a last minute try off a few Yale errors to tighten the final score to 28-22. The kicking game and poor tackling that plagued Yale in the first half was spot on in the second half and was the real difference in the game. Man of the Match went to back rower Tim Shriver '11, who dominated play in the loose. Other notables included hooker "Very Tan" Pat Mitchell '11, who performed well in his first A-side start, and wing Matt Lacasse '10, who provided a much needed boost when he came on.

B Side

The B-side match was also a great showing for Yale. For the first time, instead of just running around like madmen, unaware of the finer points of the game, the Yale Bs actually played sound fundamental rugby. A few errors gave Northeastern a few tries, but the overall game play was excellent. Smart rugby decisions were being made and Yale dominated the rucks and lineouts. We also did well in the scrums considering we had a new loosehead prop, Noah Warren '11, filling in from his usual position in the back row. The back defense was much improved and overerall, the back performance was good. If we can cut down a few mistakes, the B-side will return to last year's dominant form. Considering the number of rookies on the field this year, we are removing in the right direction. Second rower Leo "Van Poppel" Wallo '11 received man of the match. Other notables included flyhalf Arturo Zindel '11, scrumhalf "Irish" Sam Power '12 and center Wariz Anifowoshe '10.