The Yale University Rugby Football Club

Yale Pummels Penn to Start Ivy League Regular Season 2-0

After a good day at Princeton, the boys were ready to take on Penn. The team started slow, as Yale made several mistakes and had too many penalties. Penn came out strong and were very aggressive at the breakdown. PennÕs defense was well structured and they tackled well. In the 25th minute, Penn was able to keep Yale pinned in its own 22m and score a hard fought converted try. Immediately after the kickoff, a Penn player knocked the ball deep in its own half and 2 minutes after the Penn score, flyhalf Sam Cartmell Õ10 battled through the defense and score a try. The try was converted and the game was tied 7-7. After Penn gave Yale a gift deep in its territory, Yale did the same on the ensuing kickoff. The kickoff was knocked on and Penn was able to carry the momentum into the try zone 2 minutes later. After converting the try, Penn was up in the 29th minute 14-7. Later in the half, Ryan Vandersloot Õ11 was able to convert a long penalty kick to put the score at 14-10 Penn at half. The story of this half for Yale was too many turnovers and too many penalties coupled with aggressive defense by Penn.

After some half time encouragement, the Yale team that showed up versus Princeton reemerged for the second half. Yale was able to limit second half penalties and turnovers. 15 minutes into the second half, wing Matt Lacasse Ô10 was able to break a strong run along the sideline and score under the posts. Vandersloot was able to convert the try to give Yale the lead, 17-14. At this point, Yale began to pick up the pace of the game, maintain a field position advantage and dominate the set pieces. 10 minutes later, off some good phase ball and a battle on PennÕs goal line, flanker Phil Constantinou Ô11 was able to punch in a try which was convert by Vandersloot. Finally, a few minutes later, # 8 Tim Shriver was able to punch in another try to seal the game.

Final Score: Yale 31 - Penn 14

After a good performance the previous day, the B side was keen to get their first win. Once again, the team made some rookies mistakes, but more than made up for it with good aggression, hard rucking, good set piece work and the ability to keep the field position advantage. The score was tied 5-5 at half, but Yale had the fitness advantage and was able to punch in 3 second half tries to win 22-5. Strong play by Rupert Guest Õ10, Grey Grissom Ô13 and Leo Wallo Ô11 was key to the success. Yale will look to carry this momentum into a strong performance next Saturday at Dartmouth.

Final Score: Yale 22 - Penn 5