On Saturday, September 11th, after a moment of remembrance, the DRFC returned to Brophy for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosting the men from Holy Cross, the Big Green started the 2021 XV’s campaign with a bang. With a score of 92-0 and nine different scorers, the future looks bright.
Holy Cross kicked things off to Quinn Heyneman ‘23. Sitting down his defender beautifully, Quinn offloaded to Cam Parker ‘22 who set the tone for the match, immediately barreling through his man like a runaway train. The first phase saw a hard carry by co-captain AJ Meyer ‘22. After another phase of skilled play through the hands, the ball swung out wide to Malcolm Robinson ‘22, charging ahead for Dartmouth’s first try. Captain Mike Weir ‘22 converted with clinical accuracy.
After another kickoff received by Heyneman, Weir lofted a deep kick from within his 22 to just inside the Holy Cross 5m line. Holy Cross strung together several phases but were held in their own 22. HC attempted to exit on a penalty kick, but it was well fielded by Meyer and offloaded to Ulysses Brenzel ‘25. Working from left to right in a series of short punches, the ball made its way to co-captain Jasper Green ‘22, who stepped his way up the middle of the field to put HC on the back foot. A quick ball out of the ruck from Jack Wagner ‘22 gave Weir time to slide a grubber into the backfield. Robinson recovered and collected another try for the Big Green.
The HC kickoff was fielded by Shayne Miller ‘22 and the Green were at it again. After a ball by Wagner to graduate student Matt Anticev (Holy Cross class of 2021) to buy some space, Weir powered another ball deep into the backfield. A strong tackle by Green left the ball to be collected in a heads up play by Matias Calvo ‘23. A tackle into touch led to a misthrown lineout by HC and in turn to the first scrum of the day. Wagner distributed to Weir, who hit Green at speed, breaking four tackles for a try just left of the uprights. Weir converted again, 19-0.
Heyneman received again and Weir once again sent the fall over the HC backs to the 5m line. Brenzel blocked the attempted exit kick which bounced into touch. A HC lineout led to another exit kick fielded by Weir just inside HC’s half. Two hard carries by Weir and Meyer drew the defense left, and with quick hands and composure under pressure Abe Kamara ‘25 distributed wide. A series of good lines and well timed offloads saw Charles “Texas” Fenn ‘22 bring it home for his first try on the day. Tough angle and distance were no match for Weir who made his third conversion.
Parker fielded the kick and after several phases, HC won a scrum. Brenzel capitalized on a dropped ball then Weir did it again, kicking for field position inside the HC 22. Regaining their footing, a HC scrum was awarded just inside the Big Green’s half. Winning the ball back off a penalty, Weir took advantage of the recent 50-22 rule to take a lineout inside the HC 22. A brilliant throw from Meyer to Jaime Chuidian ‘23 teed up a quick ball from Wagner to Weir. Mike zipped a quick face ball to Calvo whacking on. With a commanding stiff arm, Matias propelled his way across the line. Mike Weir. Conversion. Clockwork. 33-0.
Another kickoff to Heyneman, shifted out wide, and a ball over the top for field position by Weir. A strong defensive shift was capped by Robinson stealing the ball from the base of the ruck. A hard carry by Weir set up a quick ball to Kamara, who skipped it out to Anticev. He stepped his man, drew two defenders, and popped the ball up for Brenzel. A forward pass led to a HC scrum, then a botched kick led to a Big Green lineout at the HC 22. After a hard carry to the short side by Calvo, Weir saw a mismatch left, skipped to Green, who in turn hit Brenzel all alone out wide. Freshman Brenzel finished the try and Weir nailed the conversion. 40-0
HC kicked off to Meyer who carried up the left side. Weir again into the HC 22. The Big Green won the ball back off a penalty. Weir kicked for a Dartmouth lineout at the just outside the 5. Another hard carry up the middle by Calvo followed by quick hands from Chuidian left Fenn charging down the right side for his second on the day. Weir from distance, converted again.
Heyneman received and after several phases the ball was knocked on. A HC lineout was recovered by Chuidian and Parker, but after several phases was knocked on. After a penalty, HC kicked into touch for a lineout picked off by Robinson. Weir crushed a penalty kick into the HC 22 for another Big Green lineout. The ball was knocked on, Dartmouth won the scrum. Wagner, Anticev, and Meyer worked the ball into the middle, and captain Weir weaved his way to a try just left of the sticks. Mikey finished the half with another conversion. 54-0.
The Big Green kicked off with one sub, Masa Kawasaki ‘23, joining at flanker. Kamara received an exit kick by HC. A mix of short ball and through the hands plays highlighted by runs from Green and Heyneman left the Green in the middle of the field at the HC 22. Wagner to Weir, Weir slung it to Chuidian who stepped two men to bring it home under the sticks. Weir converted once again.
Brenzel received the kick off. Working the ball wide, Kamara offloaded brilliantly to Chuidian, who offloaded to Robinson barreling through the inside up just short of the HC 22. A knock on led to kick tennis between Weir and HC, finished by a blocked kick that bounced across the goal line. Heyneman dove on it for another DRFC try and Weir converted despite a tough angle.
Meyer fielded the HC kick, then a HC penalty let Weir kick into touch for a lineout. Holy Cross kicked, Weir fields and kicked back. A high tackle led to a HC penalty kick and lineout, stolen by DRFC President Will Frohlich ‘22. Another penalty on HC allowed Weir to use the 50-22 rule and secure a lineout inside the HC 22. Willie Gridley ‘23 subbed in for Green. The lineout was stolen by Holy Cross, but then Chuidian poached the ball from a ruck. An obstruction saw the ball back to HC, who had their own penalty leading to a Dartmouth scrum. Nick Irwin ‘23 and Angus Gruner ‘23 subbed in for Weir and Fenn. Nico Audisio ‘23 and Brendan Wallace ‘22 subbed in up front. Another penalty led to a kick and HC lineout. Anticev poached the ball back. After another penalty, a quick tap-n-go from Kamara set up Calvo to wrestle his way across the line. Federico Goudie ‘24, Owen Lee ‘24, and Conor Craven-Falcon ‘22 subbed in, and Kamara made his first conversion.
Lee received the kickoff and Kamara exited. Holy Cross kicked back, Kamara fielded, ran a criss-crossing line, and carried it home himself.
Irwin received the kick, Kamara exited, and Chuidian collected off the bounce. A penalty kick from HC led to a lineout just across the half. Chuidian stripped the ball and the Big Green worked it wide. Coming back across, Kawasaki offloaded to Kamara who was off to the races again for a 40m burst to the line.
All in all it was a great day for the DRFC in a long awaited return to Brophy Field. A huge thanks to all the friends and family that came out to support the club. We look forward to the rest of the season!