The Yale University Rugby Football Club

Yale Falls to Princeton for the Koranda Cup

As has become the tradition with the annual match, home team Princeton bested Yale 41-29 in New Jersey on Saturday, April 19th to regain possession of the hotly-contested Koranda Cup.

Yale struggled with organization throughout the day, with poor information regarding the length of the journey from the Princeton match secretary and heavy weekend traffic into New York causing many of the Yale first XV to arrive late to the match. As a result, the men in blue started the game with a mixture of A side and B side players. Despite admirable efforts from the B siders, Yale entered the half down 22-0 due to poor organization and lackluster defense in the first half.

After a stern speech from coach Jan Pikul during the half, Yale came out ready to play in the second half. The Yale backline began catching the ball at pace, and improved posting after the tackle by the Yale squad resulted in quick recycled ball, putting the Tigers on their heels. Yale's backline dictated the pace for much of the second half, and a beautifully intercepted pass and 60-meter sprint to the try line by wing Matt Lacasse '10 put some fire in the injury-ridden Yale side. Despite several outstanding tries by captain Sean Walbridge '08 and excellent passing and kicking by flyhalf Evan Edwards '09, Yale's second half effort was not enough to make up for the 22 they had spotted Princeton in the first half.

Despite the A side's disappointing performance, Yale's B side raised the club's spirits with a dominating performance against the Princeton Bs. The B-side pack controlled the set pieces and rucks, and the backs were able to cut up the less dynamic Tiger backline players. Exceptional tries by fullback Arturo Zindel '11 and center Matthew Shipsey '11 were the highlights of the day.