This past weekend, your UT Dallas Women's Rugby Club took the pitch against 1st year club East Texas Baptist University (ETBU).
UT Dallas line up:
1. Kalena, 2. Michelle, 3. Vic, 4. Grace, 5. Rubab, 8. Camille, 9. Elaine, 10. Mel, 11. Kelly, 12. Kayla, 13. Brittany, 14. Cari and reserve 16. Kaitlyn
    The first half began even as both clubs spared with each other to see what the other would give and how much they could take.  And that was how things went for the first 15 minutes of the 25 minute half, then it was the UTD women who would strike first.  Scrumhalf Elaine, seeing a gap in the ETBU defense, she darted through them to score the first Try of the game and league season.  The conversion was missed, then Kayla saw that she could turn the corner on her opposite, then she did.  Not one time, but 2 times and she scored the second Try under the post to give Cari a real good shot at converting it and she did.  Going into half time UTD 17 - ETBU 0.
     But there was a tale of 2 halves and the second half belonged to ETBU, they fought hard and played well.  Not that UTD played badly, we didn't.  We made a series of mental mistakes which ETBU was able to capitalize on.  The score going into the final minutes of the game, UTD 17 - ETBU 15.  Then Cari got a pass from Mel on the outside and was able to beat her opposite and drag a player into goal to give UTD a comfortable lead 22 to 15.  But again a mental error on the ensuing kick off gave ETBU the ball and drive they did.  ETBU was able to score the game tying Try and conversion which they did convert on and the match ended like that.  UT Dallas 22, ETBU 22
     The honorable mentions for the match were Kaitlyn, Grace and Kalena for playing their first rugby match.  More honorable mentions Vic, Mel and Elaine, but the Woman of the Match went to Kayla for her complete game.

   The UT Dallas men were supposed to play SMU, but that game didn't happen because SMU couldn't secure their field.  We offered to host them, but they declined.  So we split the squad into 2 sides and played each other.

    Next week, the Women again take the field in week 2 of the new league season.  Their opponent, UNT and the match will kick off about 5:00pm on the UT Dallas Campus.  UNT last year was a big, fierce side and I expect to see the same this coming season.  So it will be doubly important that we play our game.
    The men again have the week off.

   This past weekend, your UT Dallas Men and Women's Rugby Club traveled to Austin to compete in the "Dust your boots off Tournament" hosted by St. Edward's University.
    The tournament had a few hiccups at the beginning due to clubs committing to play and then backing out at the last minute.  But in the end there were 8 men's clubs and 5 women's clubs ready to play.
     I'll begin with the ladies.  We had 11 of 15 women make the drive to play. They kicked off their season with a match against long time rival Sam Houston St. then played Angelo St and finished with playing a new club East Texas Baptist University. 
     The ladies played fierce and they all showed true warrior aspects, we had a number of surprising things occurred that day.  Rubab, showing that she will becoming a player that thinks - you come near me, you'll go down.  Melanie, emerged as a devastating tackler and ball carrier. Cari has picked up where she left off and new coming Kayla showing that she can do rugby as well as she did kick ball.  There were more people there and they all played extremely well, many more will be named a lot due to our short season and the way they are improving.
    The ladies ended up winning one, losing one and tied the last game, so all in all, the girls had a very good day.
   
     The men began their season with matches against Rice University, Angelo St. and SMU.  All 3 matches were very entertaining and competitive.  The men had the same record as the women, one win, one loss and one draw.  On the whole there were a lot of things going on and players began to gell with each other and that was fun to watch. 
     We had 3 first time Try scorers, Talhah, while playing for us in a limited season, he scored his first try in the first game against Rice.  Then came trys by Kevin and Coleman against SMU.  Coleman's try against SMU was the culmination of a lot of fun, both watching his parents cringe when he either got tackled or made the tackle and then go wild when Coleman dotted the try.

     This coming weekend, the ladies open their 2016 season at UT Dallas with their season and league opener against East Texas Baptist University (ETBU).  The match will kick off about 6:00pm on field 6 on the UT Dallas campus.
     Brief scouting report on ETBU, this is their first season and many of the ladies only began playing rugby this past weekend.  This will be a very good match to come out and be entertaining
     The men are waiting for confirmation from SMU on weather or not they will be allowed to play.  SMU approached us and asked if we would consider playing them on their parents weekend.  if the match is a go, I'll post it and the kick off time.
     Brief scouting report, SMU has big, athletic players and I have heard that they now have a coach, so with those combinations, we could be in for a cracker of a match
     This will be our last chance to play a friendly match with anyone, since our league kicks off on Oct. 8th.

   Well our first 2 weeks of practice are in the books.  It's been very interesting and good, with approximately 40 guys and 14 girls coming out.
    I'm going to begin with the ladies, we have 6 returning girls (Vic, Camille, Cari, Elaine, Mel and Alyssa) and of all the new girls, they all show positive signs of bringing something to the plate and the game for the UT Dallas Women's Rugby Club.
    On the Men's side, we have a bunch of returning players, probably more than I can write, but some of the returning players that is making an impact. Edmund, Manny, Maika, Michael, Ryan, Connor, Seth, Steven and all the newbies, it's very exciting to see all these players come out day in and day out learning the game.
    On the coaches side, we have the usual 2, myself and Bear and for us it's business as usual.  To help me coach the Women, Jonathan and Jacey are back and doing everything they can to help prepare the ladies for their season.  I can say now, we have a new Assistant Coach, his name Daniel Stewart.  He's played Rugby all over the world, from France to Australia and now wants to give back to the game.  He's played Scrumhalf and Center, so I'm looking to pick his brain on various techniques and drills for our players.  I'll have a bio on him, Jacey and Jonathan soon and will post them.
    Next Saturday (Sept. 10th) will be the 3rd annual Lonestar Conference Players Clinic being held at UT Dallas.  We're expecting at least 150 men and women from each campus in the Lonestar Conference.  Schools from Lamar University in the south to Midwestern St. in the north.  From Letourneau University in the east to Angelo St. University in the west.  This will be an exciting day long event, with coaches from the local Men's clubs coming out to help coach our athletes in several different drills all involving an aspect of the game.
     Then on Saturday (Sept. 17th) the guys and girls will kick off their rugby season in Austin at the "Dust your boots off" Tournament.  Directions and times for this will be posted later.
     In keeping with the future games, on Sunday, Sept. 18th the UT Dallas Men will play a special match against Texas St.  This match will be played at Lake Highlands Park, directions and related info will be posted later.
     That's about all for now, if anyone reading this has any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to get you answers.