The guys took the pitch first, and after the tweaking the starting line up, the national anthem, the match got underway. The game was fast and furious, with UTSA attacking with the large backs they had, then UTD found gaps for them to attack and that's what they did. But this wouldn't be a game for the faint of heart.
About the 15 minute mark, UTSA was able to punch one into the Try zone. They missed the conversion and got the ball back and continued with what they thought would be the final dismantling of UT Dallas.
But it was a brilliant move coming up from the inside, UT Dallas was going deep into UTSA territory. Zach was on the move and as he was being tackled. He was able to off load a pass to freshmen Coleman, who was not going to be stopped and scored UTD's first league Try of the day and season. UTD's Try was also uncoverted and the half ended UTD 5, UTSA 5.
The second half was just as physical as the first half, both sides battling each other for real estate and then losing what was just gained. With the clock ticking away, something needed to be done by someone. It was then that UTSA had a scrum, but hooker Otto was able to steal away that put in. Chase quickly took advantage and darted down the pitch. As he was looking for support, the UTSA Fullback, he off loaded to the Wing Coleman for his second Try of the day and again it was unconverted.
With shades of memories going back to the very first time our 2 clubs met (the TRU DIII Championships), UTSA managed to find themselves with the ball and deep in UTD territory. And just like the first time, UTSA tried to find any vacant spot in goal. But that wasn't going to happen, time and time again UTSA banged and fought to find the goal line and like that championship game. It would be about 8 minutes of this constant bending, but the Comets weren't going to break. When the referee blew his whistle to end the match and the dust settled, it was UT Dallas on top. The final score UT Dallas 10, UTSA 5.
The line up:
1. Maika, 2. Nicky, 3. Brandon, 4. Conner, 5. Keaton, 6. Manny, 7. Will, 8. Daniel, 9. Chase, 10. Edmund, 11. Coleman, 12. Ola, 13. Steven L. 14. Isaac, 15. Zack
Reserves
Caleb replaced Brandon, Seth replaced Ola, Eric replaced Isaac at the 20 minute mark. Otto replaced Nicky at the 41st minute. Ryan replaced Maika at the 65th minute. Alex Willis replaced Manny at the 70th minute.
Honorable mentions, Otto for that great steal in the scrum that led to the final score, Coleman for his first 2 Try afternoon in his career. Man of the Match - Zack.
The UT Dallas Women took on UTSA Women, but this was going to be a bit of a struggle for the get go. UTD was going to play a player down. The reason, we had 9 girls show up and was missing our 10th player. UTSA wasn't going to give up a player to even things unless we gave them a forfeit. Captain Victoria, stated no way, we'll take them on 9 on 10 before we cow down to them.
And play they did, the line up:
1. Sarah, 2. Kayla, 3. Vic, 4. Kaitlyn, 5. Dimi, 9. Elaine, 10. Mel, 12. Cari, 14. Kelly
With those 9 players, we kicked off and the Try gates we open. The girls did what they could but not having that equalizing player made things a but tricky. UTSA was able to find open space and they dashed down the field to score 8 Trys in the first half. The score UTSA a lot, UTD 10.
The second half began, but this half UTSA gave us a player, so we had equal numbers (or so I thought), our girls fought hard and often, and in all that fight. Flyhalf Melanie Bowler found and gap and powered her way thought a bunch of Road Runners to score her first Try, the less than 5 minutes later Center Cari Anderson found the ball and darted down the touch line to score her Try and the second of the day. The final score UTSA a lot, UTD 10.
The girls played with all kinds of heart and soul and I am so proud of them.
This coming weekend, both the men and women travel to San Angelo to play Angelo St. University. The girls play at noon and the guys play at 2:00pm. Both of ASU's clubs are big and fast, so both of our guys and girls will have their work cut out for them this weekend. Directions to the game is listed in the Venue Directions section of this web site.
Come on out and cheer on the UT Dallas Rugby Clubs.