One other note on this day (and it really wasn't a factor) but two of our players Nathan and Dominic weren't with us because they were playing in their own tournament in Ft. Worth with the Texas Rugby Union Collegiate All Stars. I heard from the head coach that both of our lads played extremely well and it's tribute to the hard work both put in both on and off the field for their club to get to that point.
On a rainy day (on and off) the lads took the field against Angelo St. University roughly 11:00am and I think this may have been the first game of the day nerves, but the played well against a very seasoned division 2 club. We allowed ASU to score twice in the first half, but to the UTD side, we got our defense on and gave up only one more score in the second half. The final score was ASU 15, UTD 0, despite the score it was a very close game.
The second match was against St. Edward's University, a rematch of our third and final match in our first round robin tournament in Austin 3 weeks ago. In that first match, we battled St. Ed's to a 10 - 0 loss. This time, we took it to them. For the first time we played almost the entire first half in St. Ed's half of the field. We passed, we tackled, we were playing as a team and attacking St. Ed's weakness. We just couldn't punch it across the goal line. In the last 5 minutes of the match St. Ed's managed to score one and the half ended. The second half was pretty much like the first half except Sean scored a well deserved Try to bring the score to St. Ed's 7, UTD 5. Unfortunately we managed to allow them to score one more time. The final score St. Ed's 12, UTD 5.
The third match was against UT San Antonio, this was another very good match. Both teams equal and the first half was played between the 22 meter lines. Both teams just couldn't break through and the first half ended 0 - 0. The second half was much better, UTD found their way back into UTSA's red zone and pounded and pressed on, when our Fly Half Vince found an opening and ran 35 yards to score his first Try of the season and the game to put UTD ahead for the first time in any game. But credit UTSA for battling back, because that's what they did and score a Try near the goal post for an easy conversion. The final score UTD 5, UTSA 7.
With all that being done we were preparing for the consolation final against ASU, but they decided to leave and forfeit the match. Hence UT Dallas won the match and collected the Third Place Trophy, our first of hopefully many more. It was exciting to watch these men start to come into their own on the Rugby field and I'm having as much fun as they are.
Below are the line ups for each match:
UTD v ASU UTD v St. Ed UTD v UTSA
1. Sean 1. Nick 1. Nick
2. Dwight 2. Chris 2. Dwight
3. Urbold 3. Urbold/Sean 3. Sean
4. Ben 4. John 4. John
5. John 5. Sean/Desmond 5. Desmond
6. Fransisco 6. Ben 6. Fransisco
7. Zach 7. Zach 7. Zach
8. Steve Hale 8. Steve H 8. Steve H
9. Stephen Boeding 9. Cameron 9. Cameron
10. Vince 10. Vince 10. Vince
11. Alejandro 11. Trevor/Alejandro 11. Alejandro
12. Liam 12. Stephen B 12. Liam
13. Justin/Trevor 13. Justin 13. Justin
14. Mark 14. Steve Shaffer 14. Mark
15. Steve S 15. Ross 15. Ross
We have this weekend off, no games, but we're working on scheduling a match with the University of Dallas at their field in Irving. When we have that confirmed, I'll send another e-mail with my scouting report and details on the match.
I'd like to thank everyone who's supported the lads, bringing food, water, bananas etc. without your help and support to cheer them on, this would seem like an uphill battle. One item that has so far been mentioned, the other clubs we've played are simply amazed by the support you bring and that means a lot to hear. When we are voted into the Texas Rugby Union as full members, just the fact that you all are at our games will sway the votes to get us in. Everyone likes to compete in front of a large fan base, either their own or in front of their opponents and I as well as the members of the UT Dallas Rugby Club thank all of you and look forward to seeing you at more games in the future.
Lastly, I will be forwarding our schedule by Friday of this week and if anyone has any questions regarding that or anything else, please e-mail me or you can call me on my cell 972-365-0488. I have an open door or phone for everyone involved with the UT Dallas Rugby Football Club. Thanks for taking the time to read my short novel.