UMass |Brown |Yale | Army
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DWRC 0 vs. UMASS 25
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Dartmouth drops D-I Premier League Opener
Plagued by a combination of pre-season injuries, unavoidable absences, and an ongoing search for a #10 who can drive an aggressive offense, the DWRC first fifteen were unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities as they came up short in their season opener. Loose forward play was much improved over pre-season scrimmage performances against University of Norwich and Boston Women, but tentative distribution in the backs made it difficult to finish and counterattacking woes provided UMass with significant territorial advantage.
UMass dominated the first 13 minutes of the match, scoring their first try off the opening kickoff and their second try 11 minutes later. But the Big Green settled in and found it’s rhythm, and UMass was on defense for the remainder of the first half. Dartmouth’s superior fitness and aggressive rucking, along with poor handling from the UMass centers, kept the Big Green alive and knocking on their try line until the break whistle blew. (0-10 at half).
UMass took to the air in the second half, giving the usually confident Dartmouth back three a run for their money. The first deep kick of the second half resulted in a Dartmouth lineout on the Dartmouth 10. The Minutewomen stole the lineout, controlling possession long enough to reward their kicker with a try of her own in the opposite corner. The last try of the match was also a result of a deep kick, misfielded by Dartmouth and capitalized on by UMass chasers.
While many Dartmouth players showed improvement and even moments of brilliance, noteworthy performances were delivered by forwards Captain #8 Meghan “Eagle” McDavid ’10, with an all-around fantastic match, and winger Kristen Liu ’11, who had a blazing debut at outside center.
DWRC 0 vs. BWRFC 24
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The DWRC - Bear match ups are always well-contested, and this Saturday, despite the lopsided score, was no exception. Dartmouth dominated line outs and matched up equally in set scrums. Both teams played very aggressive and pressurized defense around breakdowns, causing multiple back-and-forth turnovers. Brown's aggression was much less disciplined than the Big Green's, resulting in a penalty ratio of 16-3, including a yellow card for repeated offsides infractions and a red card for an illegal dump tackle. The Big Green often had the momentum because of Brown's plethora of penalties, but DWRC #9 Ilda Bajraktari '11 and forwards standout and captain Meghan McDavid '10, filling in at flyhalf, had a rough day connecting, resulting in difficulty on attack out of the breakdowns.
Turnovers continued to be a main theme of the match, as Brown's dynamic offense was stymied by 17 knock-ons and Dartmouth added to the scrum count with 9 of their own. Even more indicative of the fierce competition that took place during this match were Brown's 16 and Dartmouth's 21 turnovers in the loose. Ball carriers were either caught on their heals by launching defenders or isolated beyond the gain line as defenders collapsed around them, and offensive rucks were challenged by aggressive counter-rucking by both sides.
The DWRC executed 32 long offensive series, while Brown managed only 27 offensive sets of much shorter duration. Still, Dartmouth continued their four-week struggle to find their rhythm in the backline, and under terrific pressure from Brown's big twin sister centers the newest version of the Big Green backline found themselves moving laterally instead of vertically, often finding touch instead of the try line. Meanwhile, Brown's fast-moving and aggressive backline were able to go North-South when it mattered, breaking away for 3 of the Bears' 4 tries.
At half, the score was 12- 0 and the DWRC was very much in the match. Brown played the third quarter and much of the fourth down a sin-binned player, and still managed two fourth quarter tries. The Bears converted two tries for a total of 24 points.
Brown has it's sight set on repeating as NRU champions and hopeful National Final Four contenders for the third year in a row, while Dartmouth continues to improve on a weekly basis and is still in playoff contention despite its two losses in tough opening league matches.
The DWRC B-side faced off against Brown's tough B-side in a 40 minute match which showcased Brown's size and speed in the centers. Dartmouth, with several absences due to injury and three brand-new players, was somewhat disorganized and had little opportunity for defense through multiple phases. Dartmouth's set pieces, particularly lineouts, were outstanding, but the Big Green had few offensive series because of disorganization at the tackle. Still, the DWRC B-side is expected to be strong this season as the team roster increases in number and as the new players are integrated this week. Final Score- Dartmouth 0, Brown 30.
DWRC 36 vs. Yale 0
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The DWRC relied on a combination of territorial kicking and vertical attacks as torrential rain made for dicey handling conditions last Saturday. The wide, well-drained surface of Brophy Field provided ample target areas for well-placed kicks from Captains Meghan "Eagle" McDavid '10 and Caroline Cima '10. The inexperienced Elis responded with disorganization in the counter-attack, creating opportunities for the Big Green to recover possession and patiently work it's way into the try zone with vertical attacks up to the 22 and a wide game inside the green zone.
The most striking aspect of the match, however, was the DWRC's dominance in the forwards. Referee Derek Bellin forced the eager Big Green pack to back off on engagement in the scrum so that the less aggressive Eli's would remain steady, but hooker Jamie Smart '10 still won several scrums against the head. Line outs were more of the same as the Big Green dominated both offensively and defensively, stealing most of Yale's short line outs and executing offensive line outs with flair despite the slippery conditions.
Dartmouth arrived at the ruck in a timely fashion, controlling possession and creating multiple offensive phases focused on driving the ball on a north-south axis by breaking through a flat-footed Eli defensive line. #9 Ilda Bajraktari '11 enjoyed success in her pressure defense while improving significantly in her offensive distribution, giving the Big Green offense the shot in the arm it has needed in the last three (scoreless) weeks.
Dartmouth's significant improvement in both game management and overall team play was best evidenced in the six tries scored on the day. While the forwards controlled the ball and moved it between the 22's, outside backs finished all six drives. Winger Leah Weisman '10 had a great day with many excellent runs and two touch-downs, as well as three of six tough conversions. #15 Cima contributed two more tries along with an outstanding defensive effort, and hard-running outside center Kristen Liu '11 added her own pair, one on a brilliant mid-sprint pick-up of a Cima squibb kick through the centers.
The DWRC Second Fifteen did not see action this weekend as Yale could not field a second side, but with some promising 13's and many solid veterans the B's are looking forward to six more weeks of exciting rugby.
DWRC 10 vs. Women's Army Rugby 55
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Women's Army Rugby (W.A.R.) continued it's dominance of NERFU D-I as it's well-oiled offensive machine rumbled down Brophy Field with 7 tries in the first half of its showdown with the DWRC this past weekend.
With a score of 45-5 at half, it appeared that Dartmouth was heading for the same sort of triple-figure trouncing suffered by UCONN, Yale, and Providence College at the hands of Army in earlier divisional play. But the Big Green's own machine roared alive in the second forty as the DWRC dished up crowd-pleasing offensive breaks, defensive chase-downs, and goal-line stands, giving up only two tries and scoring a second try of it's own before the 80 minute whistle blew.
The DWRC got some satisfaction not only from their gutsy second-half performance but also from dashing Army's hope of a perfect league point differential, scoring the first 10 points of the season against a very fit, very aggressive, and very well-coached Army squad.
W.A.R.'s control of the offensive breakdown and aggressive play in defensive set pieces provided playmaker Barbara Lodwick #12 with ample opportunity to set up a hard-running back three led by All-American and U-20 National Team Player Jessica Sexauer #15. Taking advantage of a disorganized Dartmouth defense in the centers and moving the ball wide with confidence and pace, Army showed that they have taken their game to a new level and that they will be contenders on the national stage this year.
The DWRC's first try came at the 25 minute mark, as Captain "Eagle" McDavid '10 charged after a bad pass from the back of an Army ruck and kicked the ball into the green zone. An Army penalty ensued as they scrambled to defend their tryline and unblemished points-against stat, and the DWRC spun the ball wide to fleet-footed Leah Weisman '10 who beat her opposite around the corner and touched the ball down.
The second Big Green try also came after an Army penalty, this one at the 70 minute mark, as Jamie Smart '10 responded with a quick tap and offensive numbers on the blind side and Captain Caroline Cima '10 took a short pass at pace for the score.
Even at mid-season, the DWRC continues to be challenged with personnel changes in the backline, trying to integrate new players with athletic talent but no rugby experience into a fast-paced defense. Rookie Ashley '13 had a rough time in the centers for the first forty, but made some great tackles and runs at wing in the second half. Other half-time personnel adjustments, combined with Army's own substitutions, including replacement of Sexaur (who'd gotten a hat trick in the first half) and Lodwick, worked well for the Big Green.
Despite the challenges it faces, The Big Green is definitely in contention for NRU Playoffs as it continues to improve on every front. The final three matches of NERFU league play, beginning with a match at Vassar this Saturday at 2:00 pm, also appear to be the less challenging portion of this tough D-I schedule. And with the NRU's three seeds into the National Tournament again this fall and three more weeks to solidify it's elusive offense and harden it's gutsy defense, the DWRC is by no means out of the running for another berth in the National Round of Sixteen.
The DWRC Second Side, with several new players making their game debut, struggled to contain the more experienced Army squad. Like the First Fifteen, the DWRC Seconds showed marked improvement in the second half, with improved organization at the breakdown and more aggressive offensive attack. Army 50 DWRC 0.
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