Dec 1st 2001, Christmas 7's

We turned in a 2 win 2 loss record. All things considered , a remarkable effort. Our perfect record in pool play put us in the championshop round with the big and fast boys. Nate showed quickness and creative running all day and Scott was awesome with ball in hand showing outstanding consistency in breaking through the defense and off loading the ball. Matt demonstrated his ability to find the try line on several occassions. Jason scored. Bob was superb at hooker and a determeined defender. Alex and Pat showed excellent poise in the open. Pat had some strong breakaway runs. Alex Stathes was powerful in contact. Thanks to Dan Stafford, Class 96, for supporting our effort with his play and counsel. Successful hospitality at Cary's after the tournement with wings,grilled sauage, fried chicken,frys,peppers and onions and rugby videos and granddaddy's rabbit gun.

Oct 7th WM 12 ODU 20

This match had remarkable contrasts, in that, our scrummaging and support at the contact point was superb and consistentent throughtout the duration. Our confidence and patience in these two areas is gratifying. Bob and Kyle laid the ball back and Jeff and Alex arrived with their big load to move opponents off the ball time after time. Yet, our organization in defense early in the match was without shape---we finally adjusted but allowed two trys before responding. PJ took his chances at full pace in the second half and was rewarded with a try. Young Alex at flyhalf demonstrated cool hands and poise with only two matches at fly.

Our fatal flaw,however, is our inablitly to consistently use our possession and convert it into territory and points. We again seemed to have difficulty in finding touch when the circumstanse demanded it. Our blind side options and backline moves are not without effort but our nuance with the ball in hand is just about nil.

How do we find that vision and nuance necessary to convert possession into victories? The coaches must take some reponsibility---I for one intend to dedicate more training to live situational rugby that will require tactical decision making with ball movement under pressure. We can do that at training even with limited numbers--we just reduce the width we must attack and defend. Secondly, our match fixtures are not sufficient in numbers to impart the real experience and nuance a young player needs to advance his game. I encourage all our players to seek out rugby experience beyond their college fixtures. Twenty matches a year for a yound college man is a minimal requirement for raising one's level of play.

Finally, I wish to express by appreciation to our leaders. Alex and Jeff on the field and to Larry and John for their savy coaching. Our fall fixtures have all been desposed of, but we still have the homecoming match on Oct 27 and Christmas 7's. See Nate about Christmas 7's training. Want to play B Side rugby with Richmond United RFC? Contact Cary.

Sept 29th 2001 WM 17 UVa 23

We started this match with relentless focus. Our scrummaging was trully dominating. We had the uphill side of the pitch and we ran hard. Patick's early forays into the defense were steadfast with pace and intent. Our focus paid off with a deep thrust into the defense close to the try line by Soul Man to an off load to Pickford for the dot down. Patrick scored a nice one in the right corner after some nice hands and hard running. Based upon our performance in the first half, although down in points, I thought we would pull away in the second half with ease. Alas, we had to defend the downhill side and seemed to have difficulty finding consistent focus again. Our front row of Alex,Bob, and Kyle continued to put their strangle hold on the scrummaging and our support at the point of contact continued to improve as the match progressed but we lost. What happened? We had some heartbreaking knocks with scoring opportunities in front of us. We did not attack enough from the base of the scrum---we owned them in this aspect of play but did not exploit this strength enough. Matt,Nate, and Jeff are dangerous offensive players we can launch off the back of our scrums. We did not find touch off some penalty marks and off loose play which is the kiss of death at our home pitch while defending the downhill tryline. We must respect territory inside the 22! We lost some chances with infringemnts and ball killing tactics around the tackle area. Stay on your feet and annihilate opposition over and around the ball. Yet, on balance our effort was gratifying. Our tackling was outstanding but our team defense was not always coordinated. Our cover defense saved us many times and we all covered well for each other. Even Kyle was making crossfield tackles well beyond the starting point. Soul man in defense and attack is the heart and essense of our team. Follow him,support him,be like him and we will win.

Defeats like this can provide us with some hard lessons. We have the character and respect for the game that will allow us to respond to this defeat with a new resolve to improve and be better than ever. The best is yet to come, gentlemen.

Very respectfully,
Cary

April 21st WM v VMI
We dismissed VMI 32-14 at Dorey Park with steadfast ball retention and committed backline movements. Outside center , Brian, consistently put pressure on the VMI defense with penetrating. runs and also showed a huge desire to score. We really observed the first principle of rugby, "Make the ball available." Every mate made sure either by passing or in contact to get the ball to his mates. All good rugby flows from that principle and we stuck to it throughout the match and good things fell our way. Vinnie counter attacked with courage. Phil blocked a kick that lead to a try and pretty much broke their resolve to win. Pickford showed excellent running form and Patrick exploded in the second half with some hard running into contact and most importantly making the ball available after the forward drive was halted. Scott and Alex showed an intimidating presense at all times. Nate at scrumhalf continues to provide excellent ball service and is beginning to show some spontaneous flair with his own running. Jeff was awsome as usual; he stuffed their best player time after time and had his share of glory on attack as well.
Thanks again , Gentlemen, you are special. We start again in August. Next season we demonstrate by our behavior how much we value and respect our teammates and that we will sacrifice and train hard for excellence and we will attract the kind of recruits that will carry us out of Div III.
Cheers,
CARY
March 24th WM v ODU
We shut out ODU 28-0, the first shut out for us in living memory. Tremendous effort was shown in the first half. The forwards produced plenty of possession and the backline ran with pace and deadly intent and , best of all, the ball went through the hands of ALL the backs. Nate's ball service was relentless, Pickford was active and ready. Martin played his ass off all day with great defense,support,and some timely kicks, Matt had many penetrating runs and his pass to the wingers was there, PJ was looking for opportunity all the time, Pete was cool with the goal kicks and scored a brilliant supporting try after the ball touched all the backs hands. Chris had a dominating match with powerful counter attacking runs, superb ability to get the ball to support in the tackle and under pressure. The match lost some its shape early in the second half which is attributable to the heat and the fact that we have not played a match since Oct. We are not match fit by a long shot and it showed in the high scrummagging,inability to stay on our feet in the ruck after we won the ball!, a dangerous collapse, and slow ball on the reclyle. Nevertheless, our backs showed the way and still converted poor possession into territory and points. Jeff Soltess continues to amaze with his workrate and committment on defense.
Martin
Martin the Center
Special appreciation to our Law School mates, Dan,Chris,Martin for their support today. Those guys all had superb matches. It was a stoke of genius by Larry to select Martin and Chris, cagey forwards to play in the backline. It settled our running and passing and insured possession as we went into contact. If there is any lesson to be learned, the only difference between our law school mates and the undergrads is number of matches played. Recommend that all players interested in raising and accelerating their quality of play is to get with a club this summer and play 7's and join United RFC B in Richmond for some B side matches when we have an open weekend. Active young players sould be trying to play over 20 matches a year. We don't come close to that with our fixtures.

Again, congratulatons Tribe Ruggers, winners of the WM Rugby Cup, I am proud of you.


Scott the Prop

Dec 2nd Christmas 7's

Trully inspired effort today by our 7 a side warriors capturing runner up status in the Cup division. Jeff once again showed the way with outstanding ability to break thru the gaps in every match, nice sidestep, and vision to get the ball away to the supporting player. Vinnie showed outstanding effort at sweeper with some devasting speed and quickness while scoring and in defense. Vinnie is our lightest mate but our best open field tackler. Scott was awsome in attack. PJ threw a spectacular football spiral pass across the field giving Nate a nice try up the opposite touchline. Patrick's defense is violent and agressive. We witnessed a very committed effort today and this reporter is proud of each and every player who donned the green and gold on a day to remember.

The WM Old Boy side , legendary players from the past, lead by Captain Greg Hildebrand,Ian Dewy, and Pete Rodgers.and Jonathon Maeyers With able support from Dan,Cary, and Bob. Remarkable effort, as well,with a record of 2 and 2 for the day. Play of the day was beautiful blind inside pass from Bob to Ian who struck deep and with pace to go in for the try. The defense never saw it coming. Special thanks to Hildebrand,Dewey, and Rodgers for financing the entry fee! Hospitality at Cary's after the tourney with plenty of salmon and crab salad, oyster stew,brunswick stew,wings, and beef jerky.

Oct 7th Tribe 12 ODU 8

Tremendous effort pulled off by William and Mary. Intensity never let up during second half, everyone gave all the whole time. Forwards again had a good game. Struggled somewhat with line outs, possibly due to high opposititon from ODU. Consistent in scrums, but not as overwhelming as had been during Mary Wash match. Backs played a commendable defensive game and were beginning to cycle the ball better. They are starting to know when to pass and when to hold on. First try by Wayne Jarvis, who played a hell of a game and has the battered good looks to show for it. Vinnie had some good runs into opposition,Vinny driving the mauls downfield, even running when not on the ground. Some massive kicks put by Big Pun in first game at fullback. Impressive running off of penaly plays by Zullo,Scott, and Alex, setting up for an unstoppable try to take the lead. Props to whole team for not stepping down to any tackles and hitting hard the whole game.

Social was sucess afterwards, thanks to ODU and their hospitality. Bob led the songs well, while other took advantage of the beverage. Highlight from ODU perspective; wing screaming like a woman as he was "PUN"ished.

Reported by Captain JEFF Soltess

soulman

Jeff Soltess, Captain WM RFC

Sept 30 WM(17) v Mary Washington(31)

Pack had impressive game, dominating every scrum offensively and defensively, Rucked and mauled well, support was good as well.

Back play was hard but uncoordinated. Attacked well up the field, but did not work ball through hands to attack space. Did not go into tackles prepared to pass on contact. Although much into the season, somehow people did not have hands and could not catch passes. Work needed on supporting a ball carrier. Tackling by backs was good in general.

Tries were scored on a beautiful cycling of the ball through the hands involving, Wayne ,Commerce, Rob,and to Nathan for the try. Was the classic way that backs should work up the field, drawing tackles and this time being able to correctly pass when into contact. Forwards scored off a lineout drive on MWC's five yard line, good throw in, support, and finish.
Brian Brophy had another try off of an impressive pack maul/ruck series. One of three conversions made.

In general, more backline work needed, basic hand drills,and support on breakaway balls.---Captain Jeff Soltess,reporter

Sept 23rd WM v Elon

The lads siezed this one 12-0 with trys from Captain Jeff off a driving lineout to a bold breakaway and Nate, our scrumhalf, dotted down off a devastating scrumdown driven to the tryline followed by a courageous diving effort.

The match started without shape and lots of re-starts dictated by the ref but within 15 minutes the story of the match began to develop as our forward pack began to impose their will upon the proceedings. Bob,Jeff, and Scott lead the fray with fearless thrusts into very tight and hostile defense. Yet even more gratifying was our timely support at the point of contact and at the tackle area. Our pack arrived time and again with numbers and aggression with control and disipline. Our pack has experience and it showed today.

Our entire backline with the exception of our fly and fullback has played only one match or less in their lifetime. So we cannot expect miracles at this point. Our backline defensive alighnment and attacking positions are rudimentary, at best. Nevertheless, Nate at scrumhalf was extremely active on defense and provided outstanding ball service to Mike , our fly, who played a courageous brand of rugby with some kniving runs straight into the defense. Pat played a very physical and eager style at inside center with some nice solo runs. Matt at outside center has an overwhelming defensive element to his game and , also, had some nice individual efforts with the ball. Vinnie at wing displayed courageous and effective open field tackling. Alexs at fullback was our saviour on defense with brilliant cover. Our backline has a wealth of talent and will. Time,experience, and preparation will transform us into a trully explosive offensive side.

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