The Yale University Rugby Football Club

Fairfield

Friday night we traveled to Fairfield University for a match which consisted of 3- 30 minutes halves. Yale traveled without any expectation of our seniors playing. We headed up with only about 20-22 players available (some players planned trips for the scheduled weekend off, some were injured from the weekend, some were missing without reason???) The object for the day was to play future players and future combinations. We need to start look at next fall's team. Some players are really showcasing good talent, while some positions are really up in the air as of now. Fairfield was a solid club, with a large pack, but unimpressive back line.

First 30

Yale started fairly strong, considering we were running a bit late (which was expected) and with a mixed pack (A/B/C players working together for the first time). After about ten minutes, lack of continuity and poor tackling left us behind on the score board. The kicking game which started strong ended poorly, lineouts and scrums were a bit of a mess, and the tackling was much too high. Score at end of first 30 --> 15-7 Fairfield.

Second 30

After a half time speech, a few adjustments and some fresh legs, Yale began to improve play. Set pieces were a mess again, but the defense around the loose and pressure defense off first phase troubled Fairfield and resulted in a couple of tries. Again, tackling was too high, and this half, it resulted in a penalty try against us. The backs also ran side ways too often, limiting our explosive attack.

Overall, the effort was better. If it wasn't for the last minute garbage try, we would have closed the gap. Score at end of second 30 --> 29-19 Fairfield.

Third 30.

At this point we were left with only 2 reserves, both banged up. We made a couple more adjustments and our set pieces began to settle down. Our lineouts actually improved enough to steal some ball and get good ball out to the backs. The backs finally got vertical and tore fairfield apart. We scored 29 unanswered points this half. Excellent effort.

Final 39-19 Yale

Stand out players for the night Evan Edwards (excellent job getting backs moving forward, great defense and some key steals) Taylor Giffen (excellent job kicking at posts and kick countering) Moonshine Mike (for his play in the loose. I believe he has 3 tries in the last 5 matches ....not bad for a tight head)