Dartmouth Narrowly Falls to Army at Clubhouse Dedication
by Mhomas Tomahan '06

It was a gala weekend for the Dartmouth Rugby Football Club. After decades of planning, fundraising, and lobbying, the team finally has a permanent home in the Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse. The clubhouse is the centerpiece of one of the premier rugby facilities in the nation and places Dartmouth Rugby at the forefront of American collegiate rugby. The facility is surrounded by Battle practice field and the Brophy pitch which will be home to some of the most meaningful and competitive rugby in the Northeastern Rugby Union for years to come.

The facility was dedicated on Friday as Trustee and former Dartmouth rugger Michael Chu '68 accepted the facility on behalf of the college. The formal acceptance of the faculty was followed by a few words from college President James Wright who praised Dartmouth Rugby for their winning tradition. Other notable speakers included James N. Perkins '55, a Dartmouth Rugby player and close personal friend to Corey Ford, and former player and coach Wayne Young '72. The evening celebrated many great alumni who contributed to this great leap forward in the stature of the club-especially Corey Ford, an esteemed writer who was a friend and coach to Dartmouth Rugby. Ford's home was bequested to the club in his will as a means to find a permanent home for Dartmouth rugby and after years of work it is finally a reality.

On Saturday, the speeches and sentiments made way for a hard-fought game of rugby as Dartmouth faced off against perennial rivals and defending Northeast Champions, Army. The game inaugurated the beautiful Brophy field on a day befitting such a tremendous occasion. The clubhouse and hills surrounding the pitch were engulfed with the screams of alumni, friends, parents, and students as over a thousand people appeared to appreciate this excellent showcase of rugby.

The game kicked off at three on a picturesque afternoon in Hanover and the men in green rose to the supreme challenge of competing with one of the best rugby sides in the nation. The scoring opened in favor of Dartmouth as an early penalty by army in their territory came in the 4th minute giving fullback Andrew Caspary '06 the opportunity to kick three points for Dartmouth. Army answered back however, as the Black Knights' fullback scored a try in the corner making the score 3 - 5. The lead did not last as Caspary was again given the opportunity to kick for points off an Army penalty and he was again true. Dartmouth then found firm footing in the match in the 23rd minute as a well run lineout in Army territory resulted in an overlap in the Army defense that the back line exploited-ultimately resulting in a try and conversion again by Andrew Caspary making the score 13 - 5. Army answered back as a quick tap penalty led to an Army try making the score 13 - 10. And in the closing minutes of the half Army kicked for points off of a penalty making the score at halftime 13 - 13.

The half began with Dartmouth receiving the ball, but sloppy handling gave possession to Army in Dartmouth territory and the Black Knights exploited an overlap in the defense as their wing scored in the corner. But Dartmouth quickly answered back as a line break got the ball to Capitan Jesse Blom '06 in the open field tying the score again at 18 - 18. However Army began to make serious headway as tries in the 20th and 31st minute both without conversions made the score 18 - 30. At this point, the crowd and the atmosphere were at a fever pitch as chants of "Lets Go Dartmouth" erupted from the hills surrounding Brophy field. The Dartmouth men answered in the 36th minute as a crashing ball by lock Josh Weinberg '07 was quickly rucked and spun wide to Aziz Sayigh '07 who scored a spectacular try. The Conversion by Caspary made the score 25 - 30. Dartmouth quickly took the ball and marched down the pitch with determination, looking for the equalizer in the closing minutes. The men in green soon found themselves 5 meters from the Army tryline desperately attempting to push the ball in for the score. Army committed two penalties giving Dartmouth a set platform to push the ball in but the Army defense engulfed the Dartmouth players just short of their goal. As phase play continued with desperation, Dartmouth was ultimately penalized for holding on to the ball and Army kicked the ball to touch ending the game with the final score at 25 - 30.

While the game ended on a sour note, the team truly showed their salt. The Dartmouth ruggers truly embodied the tradition of success and fellowship that has been the passed on through generations since the club's founding in 1951. Thanks to the gracious gifts of friends and alumni the new facility will be host to more fierce competitions for years to come.