Match Report – Boston College [09/12/15]
Hanover, NH – This past weekend, the Dartmouth Rugby Football Club hosted Boston College for a preseason friendly game. The meeting served as a quality opportunity to put the lessons learned during the two week preseason training camp to the test. After a full summer of recovery, Brophy field was in prime condition and the sunny weather drew a large crowd onto the grassy banks alongside the field. The game was a physical one with the visitors coming out on top winning by a score of 43 to the Big Green’s 17.
The first half started with intensive defensive displays from both teams and breakthroughs through the defensive walls were infrequent. The first points of the game were awarded to the Big Green as a result of a try from speedster John Abraham ’16 off of the back of a tricky backs play that opened up a hole in the Boston defense. The visitors equalized shortly thereafter from a forwards ball just meters from the try line. Determined to regain the initial lead, the Big Green proceeded to attack with vigor and spent the bulk of the first half camped out in the opposing territory. Unfortunately, a few knock-ons and a strong Boston defensive wall prevented the Big Green from taking points. Towards the end of the first forty minutes, Boston took the lead as they broke away in their own territory to score a lengthy individual try. Dartmouth quickly responded after a trademark Dawit Workie ’17 chip into the try zone was collected and touched down by Gordon Driscoll ’17. At the end of the first half, Boston led 12-10 with the score line accurately reflecting the tight contest.
The second half proved tough for the Big Green as Boston were able to exploit space in the Big Green’s defensive line and scored a few tries in succession. Newly inducted Captain Jack Braun ’16 worked hard to minimize the point’s differential and set an example for the rest of the team after his sheer power and determination shrugged off multiple tackle attempts to score right under the posts.
The Team remained optimistic despite the loss given that many of the starters had not played 1st XV rugby before while other returning players were playing in new positions. Starting prop and football convert Paul Gudmundsson ’17 had only picked up the sport during preseason, which is an accomplishment to be noticed. The 2nd XV, many more of which had only recently picked up the sport, also lost to Boston College after a second half comeback of four tries to one came short of eliminating the first half deficit. Notable performances came from Ian Sullivan ’18, who served as an unrelenting force in both attack and defense lines and from William de Chatellus ’16, who collected two tries to his name throughout the game and demonstrated solid leadership.
This coming Saturday (19th), the DRFC will engage in another preseason friendly against East Coast Rugby Conference power AIC.