confirm that field.
Just a little bit of info on our upcoming opponent, UD is a division II club, but due to the fact that all division II clubs have become extinct here in Texas and along with the Angelo State University are the only 2 remaining clubs
in this division. While it seems a bit odd for division II clubs to be playing division III clubs, here’s what we did. We (meaning the current TRU Collegiate Director, now Lonestar Rugby Conference Commissioner) took the D III clubs along with the 2 D II clubs and created this Lonestar Conference. This gives all the clubs a minimum of 8 league matches played which lead to one club advancing to a national playoff match later in the year. This also creates a stronger competition for all clubs involved in the conference.
Anyway UD has always been a good club, in the years past they were consistently competing in the division 2 final four playoff/championships. They are in a rebuilding process and last year UTD went to UD to play our first 80 minute match of our young season and UD made sure we weren’t going to forget who we were playing. We had the deer in the headlights look about us. We were still trying to find ourselves and what rugby means to each player. UD put 62 points on us with good forward play and their backs were able to exploit any and every weakness we had with our back line. While we did manage to put 12 points on the board ourselves, it was a very good butt whipping that they gave us. In hind sight, I really think the beating they gave us actually propelled the lads to work harder and when we began our league play we were better for it.
But that was last year, this year I fully expect UD to come to UTD with a very good club and from their point of view, I would think that they are going to want to do the exact same thing next weekend. UD usually put out a slightly larger team than we might have and they are well coached and disciplined. The only difference between last year’s team and the match coming up next weekend is we are more confident in our play and they are coming to our house,
and will hear our fans and supporters cheering.
After last weekend’s tournament play, and practice this past week and two more practices this coming week, the lads are more and better prepared to play. With over 30 lads coming to practice and wanting to play, I’m hoping that UD is in a similar position, I’ve reached out to them to inquire about playing a second match for all the players that may not get into the game. I’ve yet to hear from them and when I do I’ll post it. My main reason for this is that everyone should play and I’ll do everything I can to make sure that happens, but in a league match, sometimes my
hands are tied. I actually am only allowed to sub in 8 players and if I did that, then maybe as many as 17 players
will be left out. In rugby, the only way to keep players interested, is to keep them playing, and improving. If they don’t get to play, they lose interest and give up the game.
I can say this for my entire club they’re all very excited to begin their new season, with their new team-mates, to show what they can do on the pitch. To bring maybe another championship to the University of Texas at Dallas, but more importantly go out and compete against other schools like ours, have fun playing this game with their new friends and family.
See you all out on the side line this coming Saturday and we’ll do our best to start the season on a good note.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.