The DRFC kicks off their season with a trip to Bishop's University for a "Fast15s" rugby tournament

Last Sunday September 4th, the DRFC travelled to Canada under the leadership of new Head Coach Kyle Sumsion and assistant coach Dom Wareing to kick off their season in a “Fast15s tournament”.* With only 6 days of pre-season, the Men in Green looked to execute an entirely new game-plan 

Unbeknownst to the team, Dartmouth was to face the toughest competition of the tournament in their opening match against Concordia. What ensued was a battle of grit between two exceptionally physical teams with a clear love for the beauty and grunt of the sport. Despite losing the set-piece battle, the DRFC dominated the match with 95% territory, always looking like they were one carry away from coming on top. Yet ultimately, the Men in Green were unable to punch it in before the clock ran out, ending this exciting battle with a much less exciting 0-0 draw; there was a feeling the two teams would meet again.

The second match of the tournament against McGill saw the DRFC face an opponent which surpassed Concordia in size but were unable to match The Green in grit as Concordia had. During this match the DRFC came together in their set-piece plays, especially the scrum, and was able to astutely execute the game plan. A late surge by McGill put them on the board for a final score of 12-7 with no time for more rugby. On to the Semis.

The words of skipper Matias Calvo gave life and energy to a Dartmouth team that was beginning to feel the wear of their two previous matches. However, it would be the University of Sherbrooke who would deliver the first blow, touching it down between the sticks just seconds after kickoff. The Men in Green, however, would make sure Skip’s words would not go to waste. Drawing from their experience and confidence, Dartmouth remained cool and went on to play a match as passionate as it was calculated, executing coach Sumsion’s game-plan more effectively than the team ever had in its short time together. With dominance in the scrum and sheer brilliance from the backs, Dartmouth would see themselves through to the finals with a final score of 10-7.

Dartmouth and Concordia would indeed face again in the finals. This time around, Dartmouth was unable to dominate the territory battle as they had done in the first encounter, going down 10-0 around the halfway mark. Fresh legs from rising star Zach Brown ’24 led the DRFC to a late surge closing the score to 5-10, but the men were unable to deliver the final blow in the few seconds of play remaining. Concordia wins.

Despite the disappointing outcome, the DRFC has much to look forward to. With just 6 days of pre-season under their belts, the men learned and executed an entirely new game-plan. Despite many players stepping up as starters for the first time, the team looked and felt like one that had always played together. The DRFC went blow for blow with Quebec’s best, ultimately faltering due to lack of fresh legs in what proved to be a grueling 15s style fast-paced tournament.

*Games were 24 minutes long with no half-time, rolling substitutions. Tries under the sticks were worth 7 points, outside the sticks 5 points, no kick-conversions. Penalty options modified to quick-tap, scrum, automatic line-out 25 meters ahead, or drop-kick for goal. Full live scrums for the first put-in, but scrums become uncontested if reset is needed (though this rule was loosely adhered to). No more than 30 seconds allowed between any stoppage of play.