Both clubs were on the field, UT Dallas players putting the final touches in preparing the field for the match. The referee got turned around in the parking lot, but was able to find us without and other problems or issues, we were ready to play rugby.
The match kicked off on time and LU came out with determination to play this game, while the UT Dallas players (I think were expecting LU to just roll over and quit) but the first 15 minutes of this match was a wakeup call to the
UT Dallas players. Then they started to put what they needed to do and set the tone for the remainder of the evening. The 1st half was very entertaining for the spectators because of the wide open running, tackles and all around good ball movement.
The first half line up:
Props – Erbold and Nate, Hooker – AJ, Locks – John and Weston, Flankers – Mohammad and Ahmad, #8 – Steve (Sunshine), Scrumhalf –Cameron, Flyhalf – Vince, Centers – Dominic and Chad, Wings – Justin and Marc, Fullback – Steven Shaffer
Replacements – Ryan in for Nate (1st half Shoulder Stinger), Alex in for Ryan (2nd half, had to leave for exam), Alejandro in for Justin (2nd half - Tactical), Marcus in for Steven Shaffer (2nd half - Tactical), Michael in for Ahmad (Shoulder Stinger), Austin in for Cameron (last 5 minutes of match), Brian in for Vince (last 5 minutes of match).
Trys scorers for 1st half: Cameron, Vince, Dominic. Vince also converted 3 Trys and slotted a Penalty Kick.
The first half ended with UT Dallas leading 24 to 3
The 2ndhalf was nothing like the first half, UT Dallas took control of the match doing some good things, but LU wasn’t to be denied. They continued to play hard nose rugby; they exploited weaknesses in our defense and forced us to regroup. Just looking at LU play on this evening, one could hardly tell that they were playing their first match
of the year. The lads managed to get themselves back into position to exploit LU’s weakness instead of the other way and we put 5 Trys on the board in the 2nd half and only gave up one Try.
Try scorers for 2nd half: Cameron (2), AJ, Dominic, Alejandro. Vince converted 2 of the Trys.
The final score UT Dallas 53, LeTourneau 10.
Next week we travel to Wichita Falls for our match against Midwestern St. University (MSU) directions will be posted later this week and will be posted in the Venue directions section of our web site. This is a team that is a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde, meaning what we saw of them in Austin last month was a team with little experience, but we also know that they were missing a few key players. One of them a former Zimbabwean Junior National Team Prop Simba. MSU has in the past and will be again a fierce opponent, last year, we were prepared and ready to play the game. We had all the guys coming to practice and when the time came to play, we blew open a 42 – 0 lead at
the end of the first half.
This year, we’re winning games, but I think some of the lads are beginning to think they don’t need to come to practice to play and they’ll win with their natural skills and talent. There will be a rude awakening for them this coming week. We’ll need each and every one of them to prepare for what will be a tough match.
In every match, I try to play as many players as possible, because we want everyone to experience the pleasure of hitting someone or getting hit by someone. This game is too much
fun to be standing and not playing, but due to the fact that UT Dallas Rugby
Club has been blessed with two full sides (37 committed players) while other
college clubs struggle to field one side (20+ players). The
one thing we tell each player, the time will come for each one of them and when
it does, they’ll have that opportunity to shine.