balls to our club at the end of the match. Thank you very much.
Also as many of you are reading this blog, it is through the work of Heather Ball who created this web site which allows me to publish all this, and her husband John Bradshaw who provides the photos published weekly.
Because of their efforts we’re able to put out this product. Thank you, Heather and John.
Last night, the UT Dallas Rugby Club began their 2012-2013 league season debut versus the University of Dallas (UD). UD began this season as one of two remaining division II clubs left in Texas and UT Dallas began this same season as one of six division III clubs competing.
The match kicked off on time and UT Dallas took control of the match early and often. The first team to put points on the board was UT Dallas Vince Dutton with a beautiful break on the inside of the UD defense and scored a Try under the posts at the 4 minute mark in the first half, Vince also converted his own Try. Not to be outdone, Cameron
scored a Try of his own with some nifty running making UD defenders miss him as he scored in the 9th minute of the first half, Vince with another conversion. The forward pack (or AJ himself) was not to be outdone by the backs,scored 2 Trys himself in the 17th and 31st minutes of the first half. Vince was perfect in converting those Trys.
Basically the entire UT Dallas Rugby Club played quite well for their first 80 minute match and the first time playing together as a unit. UD found it difficult in getting into UTD territory, when they did, our defense stiffened and we were able to repel any of their attacks, but as things would have it. We weren’t able to defend every one of their attacks, because UD showing the strength of kind of club they are was able to get 10 points in the first half. The first half ended with UT Dallas leading 28 to 10.
The line up for the match: Props – Erbold Uran and Nate Pyle, Hooker– A. J. Paradowski, Locks – John Bradshaw and Weston Hearne, Flankers – Ben Bales, # 8 – Steven Hale, Scrumhalf – Cameron Brussard, Flyhalf –Vince
Dutton, Inside Center – Brandon Miller, Outside Center – Luke Lewis, Wings – Marc Hudak and Alejandro Chinchilla, Fullback – Marcus Burnside.
Replacements at the start of the 2nd half, Prop – Ryan Lawton, Flankers – Stephen Knadle and Mohammad Nadeem, Inside Center – Chad McDonald, Fullback – Ross Chan, in the 65th minute Brain Martinez went in at
Flyhalf.
The second half was pretty much like the first half, except we allowed UD to put 14 points on the board and some minor brain malfunctions which included one our players being awarded a 10 minute break (sin bin) for repeated offenses. The bright side, once we were back to full strength we were able to mount a series of attacks which
allowed Brandon Miller with some strong running to score our only Try of the second half and maintain our comfortable lead over UD. The final score was UT Dallas 33, UD 24.
Due to the fact that UD’s numbers are down, they were unable to accept my request to give them players if needed to play at least 20 more minutes so that all our other players who was unable to get some time on the field. I apologize to the family and friends who came out to watch them; I also apologize to those players for not being able to get them into the game. It’s a difficult decision we as coaches have to make in who plays and when do they play and I really want to make sure that everyone plays this great game.
This coming Saturday (10/13, kick off is 2:00pm) your UT Dallas Rugby Club will be playing a friendly match against the Univ. of North Texas (UNT). I’ve been in contact with the UNT coach and his numbers are similar to ours and we totally expect to play all the lads next week. The current plan is to play our starting 15 for a 40 minute half.
Then play two more 20 minutes so that everyone will be able to play.
UNT is a Division I college side currently competing in the Southwest Rugby Conference. They are and will be a very good team to play. Art Anderson the UNT coach has a way of bringing out the best in his players and his success through the years always makes his teams very tough. The UNT forwards are usually large and very mobile, their backs aren’t that big (but bigger than our backs) and they know how to attack in many different ways and are knowledgeable with their tactical kicking.
But in our second year, we can be just as tough and this match will be an early test for our UT Dallas Rugby Club as we continue to play in the hopes of defending our championship and moving closer for another bid to maybe a National Championship playoff run.
This upcoming match will provide all the players a chance to get on the pitch and show their skills and with every match they play, they learn a little bit more about playing. This is where they really learn the game in actual time, against bodies that want to run and score on them, they can learn some things in practice, but it’s under games is where they put the things they learn in practice in game situations. I think they will all do fine and it should be a very entertaining
match.
As always if
anyone has any questions or comments, please send them to me and I’ll do my best
to answer those questions and concerns for
you.