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The game was marked by what seemed like an endless array of scrums, which means plenty of sloppy ball handling leading to those scrums. The pack was led by the front row of Doug, Tom C. and Nick Taylor, with Boatshoes and Kiwi at locks, Joe at 8, Jared and Mike flanking. We lost most of scrums in the first half due to a double push from New Haven that put us off balance. However, by the 2nd half, we made the necessary adjustments and let our fitness dominate their wheezing pack. Joe had some really nice runs, with one as a breakaway for a try. The pack was very mobile and played better in the loose overall than the sets. The real story of the game was in the backs: in an offensive melee, we had tries from both wings: Jesse and Tom, along with a try from David. David also silenced the entire New Haven team and sideline with a 55 yard penalty kick for points. The last Yankees score came after a long run from Joe, followed by a pounding run from Doug, when David made a very heads up play on a penalty kick well inside their 22 which forced in a penalty try. (With 1 try, 4 conversions, a penalty kick and an assist on the penalty try, David was the Man of the Match.) Tubs played a very solid scrummy with Jason formidable at fly until he was sidelined with a leg injury. Rick replaced him moving to inside with David moving to fly. Rick was making crushing hits and has obvious untapped talent which will develop as he becomes more familiar with the game. Chris played outside with solid defense and good offensive support. In addition to Jesse’s try, his trademark open field tackles put the New Haven backs on their heels. At fullback, Lil Randy had some brilliant runs and brilliant hits.

The B game was equally exciting with a similar outcome, although I don’t know the actual score. If I’m not mistaken, we had tries from Doug, Lil Randy, Jesse, and Mad John in the triumphant return of Mr. X!! Tommy Kubic (having solved his identity crisis) played with his new team/old team (Yanks) against his old team/new team (New Haven) for the end of the first game and for the entire 2nd game. Very solid hits and a couple of good runs. Same old Tommy…but without the penalties. The ref must have thought he was still with New Haven.
Old Man Rugby made his season debut looking mighty rusty with unspectacular play at wing followed by mediocre play at flanker. (Someone needs to get to practice and get his rugby legs back.)

The challenge is on… can you handle the pressure

On a typical spring day at Andrews Field, mixed with mud, goose crap two rugby teams with something to prove, the CT Yankees convincingly outlasted Hartford.  The game was characterized by Yankees ball control and played predominately inside the Hartford’s 40 yd line.  In the first 5 minutes, Hartford was hit with penalty that Jay  put though the uprights for a 3-0 lead.  After the ensuing kickoff, the Hartford backline found a gap in the Yanks defense for a 50 yard breakaway score and conversion; 7-3 Hartford.  For the remainder of the first half, the Yanks dominated possession and field position which led to score by Little Randy (missed conversion) and another Jay penalty kick at the halftime whistle for an 11-8 halftime lead.  (Kudos on the game management for taking the points rather than trying to run it in as time was running out.)

In the 2^nd half, after numerous phases inside their 22,  Joe intercepted an errant long line-out from Hartford and put it in for a try from about 10 yards out.  We made the kick and had an 18-8 lead.  Hartford came back and had a nice drive with multiple phases inside our 10 yd line, eventually leading to a score with a missed conversion, leaving the score at 18-12 with 10 minutes to go.  The Yanks held off the additional Hartford attempts to come away with the win.

We had a couple of new faces in the scrum with Doug (man of the match) at prop and Vornle at 2^nd row.  Vornle was very effective in the loose play but challenged by poor footing and soccer cleats in the sets.  (There were some front row complaints about “nut-binding” as well.)  In the first half, we did encounter some wheeling problems in the sets, but after repositioning personnel, we dominated the sets in the second half.  Our pack was extremely mobile, protected the ball on our rucks and poached effectively on Hartford’s rucks.  Doug was a monster with the ball and with the hits.  Tom, Nick, Boatshoes, and Kiwi provided excellent support.  Joe, Vornle and Jared had nice hits and nice runs with the ball.  Even our mauling was dominant!!  Rene came in for Nick in the 2^nd half and almost put in a try.  (First game this year without a sinbin?)

The Yankees backfield is full of talent that is still coming together a cohesive unit.  Tubs was delivering very clean service to Jay at fly.  Simon had a typical game of shiftiness and deceptive speed at inside, with Jesse trying outside center in the first half and moving to wing in the 2^nd half. The back line was challenged at times with the kicks but began to improve communication and became more effective defensively as the game progressed.  Had there been better footing, our superior speed and physicality would have led to a field day against their slower line.  We do need some work on our defensive gapping, as Hartford had a couple breakaways that were concerning (including the first half try).

Overall a great result in the A game.  B’s played tough with a number of players from the previous game in a torrential downpour.  Hartford wound up the B’s winner in a game that was much closer than score, which I’m uncertain of anyway.

Next game is at New Haven in 2 weeks.  We need to have the same group as yesterday with the same focus and intensity.  Please clear your calendars and bring some fans!!

Knees, Spikes and a home win!!!

Old Man Rugby