DRFC Men Match Summaries vs. Princeton 4/19/2014

Tough fight for the guys who played yesterday.  We were missing 5 starters and 3 reserves from last week’s match for various reasons, some very valid and others very lame.  We slotted 4 new forwards into the lineup and shuffled our backline and played ball.  Well not really in the first half which was awful.  Princeton was a very good side and they came out and put it on us.  They pushed over multiple scrums which eventually led to tries and they ran very hard in the forwards through the center of the field.  They were also very opportunistic in turning ball over deep in their own territory and converting it into 80 meter trys.  We were a bit unlucky to have not come away with more trys but make no mistake they owned us in the first half.  The second half was the opposite story.  Instead of folding like lawn chairs at halftime, we came together and crushed them for the first 30 minutes of the second half.  Unbelievable character display.  We turned a large deficit into a lead by tackling and rucking hard and running right through the center of the field.  We were also able to control the scrums and starve them of possession.  We were only able to make 2 subs in the match due to light numbers and fatigue set in a bit as they brought in fresh legs.  We let up 2 long trys off of individual effort and our missed tackles to give back the lead.  We then scored again to close the deficit to 5.  On the last play, we stole their lineout in their end just outside of the 22, spun to our flyhalf who gave it to our 12 who made a magnificent run and touched down as he was being dragged down right near the posts.  Unfortunately the referee was out of position and the touch judge gave him no definitive answer so he called the play a knock on in goal.  It was a very difficult call that could have gone either way and was the subject of a very fun and light hearted debate at the social.  But that play was not the reason for the loss.  We lost because we did not match their physicality in the first half and gave up way too many points during that time period.  As I said after the match, everyone should be proud of the second half effort to dominate them and be on their try line at the final play showed a lot of heart.

B-side did what A-side could not and put two good halves together.  No doubt in this match as we controlled it from opening to closing whistle.  Many guys played over while they had a full new 15 players.  It always feels good to get at least 1 win at home and avoid the sweep.  Great effort in the second match.

Now we turn our focus back to practice this week and our 2nd round playoff match against Rocky Gorge on Saturday at Wilmington.  Everyone should enjoy their Easter dinner and then come to practice on Tuesday angry and ready to put the required work in.  It is a going to take a giant effort from every player on the team to win both games next weekend.  We can definitely do it but the commitment has to pick up right now.  No more excuses, this is it.  See you Tuesday ready to go.