Only problem the women had to back out of their first tournament of the spring due to low numbers. This was an unfortunate thing and I hope the ladies can bounce back in time of the next tournament in late February. But a good note, there are some UT Dallas Women have been selected for the final practice for the first ever Lonestar Women's All Star Team. As soon as I know those women, I will post it and they will be playing a motley side next weekend in San Antonio. This final practice will select the final 24 girls that will be named LSWC All Stars.
Now the guys, this weekend they traveled to Longview to take on rival Letourneau Univ. (LTU). It was a beautiful day for rugby, the sun shining, the temp in the high 50's and a fast pitch. For the first time in the 4 years that LTU has been competing, they have worked out to be able to play on their intramural field right next to their soccer field. While this was their first game on this pitch, there were some markings that needed to be adjusted, but since both clubs have to use the same field, it equals out everything.
The Line up:
1. Ryan, 2. Nicky, 3. Brandon, 4. Connor, 5. Aly, 6. Caleb, 7. Clint, 8. Daniel, 9. Michael S., 10. Andrew W., 11. Coleman, 12. Chase, 13. Edmund, 14. Eric, 15. Zack
Reserves: 16. Seth, 17. Ola, 18. Andrew B, 20. John M. 21. Kevin, 22. Yahve
The match kicked off on time and both sides sparred as the game unfolded, but it was UT Dallas to get on the board first. Wing Eric Bellew ran down the right touch line to score the first Try of the spring and league season. Edmund converted the Try to give UT Dallas a 7 - 0 lead.
The restart came and put UTD in pressure, and instead of maintaining our composure, we turned over the ball to LTU. But they were unable to do anything with it, but we helped them by giving them a penalty in which they took and made the score 7 - 3 in the early moments of the 1st half. Both sides battled, it was a very entertaining match to watch and the half ended UTD 14 to LTU's 3 points.
The second half started out as the first half ended, but in this half, both sides were on fire or on gut check alert. LTU came out and slotted 2 converted Trys. While UTD managed to score a converted Try of their own making the score UTD 21 to LTU's 17 with about 10 minutes remaining to play. Here UTD held on, we ended up playing short (I believe) a yellow card might have been issued, but I don't or didn't see a signal from the referee. Anyway, UTD was in gut check mode, either hang on and win the game or repeat last years game and give it to LTU in the closing minutes.
This match was in a new year and a new team and a different outcome. With about 5 minutes remaining in the match, Scrumhalf Michael Shamoun picked up a turnover ball from a ruck and rumbled 55 yards to score the game saving Try. This was a very good game played by both sides, but it was UTD's day and the final score UTD 26, LTU 17.
Scoring on the day, Ryan Lawton scored his first Try of his UTD career and was named Man of the Match. Kevin scored a Try, Eric scored a Try and of course Michael scored his Try. Edmund Miller was almost perfect hitting 3 of 4 conversions and that was huge for us on the day.
Next weekend the Men are back in action, at home hosting St. Edward's University. There is a lot of history behind St. Edward's and UTD and all of it isn't very pleasant for UTD. But this is a new year and a new side, I hope that we'll be able to bring out the fire that we are known to bring in a match and make next weekend's match very competitive.
Before yesterday, there was a 4 way tie for 3rd place with a 2 win, 2 loss record, but if you looked further into this. UTSA and St. Edward's both have a 2 and 2 record, but they have 10 points to be actually tied for third. UTD and Rice have a 2 and 2 record, but we have 9 points to be tied for 4th place. So this coming weekend should be a very entertaining match for everyone involved.
The ladies have some time off before their next tournament, but like I mentioned earlier in this post, some of our girls have been selected to compete in an All Star Selection practice and game.