Brown 76 v. Yale 0 University

In spite of a rainy week the Brown Rugby field was surprisingly dry and the conditions facilitated a Brown romp over the Yale Bulldogs. Six tries in each half provided symmetry and a 76 to nil shutout. Given Brown’s dominance, a number of players were able to get first 15 playing time, demonstrating squad depth which is always crucial as the season wears on. Yale may be Brown’s toughest opponent to date but the Bears have improved their execution on offense and defense week by week.

The first two Brown tries set the pattern for the match. Brown took control at the kickoff and drove into the Yale end where unrelenting pressure and ball possession enabled #10 Jon Kim to score. His try as with all six of the first half were successfully converted by #12 and captain Alex Ogilvy. The second try six minutes later was on an electrifying 60 meter run by fullback Christos Economos who caught a ball in traffic and “stiff armed” four Yale players before outpacing the defense to the goal line. 
The remaining first half scoring was shared by two freshmen, outside center Pablo Lavilla and flanker Will Zeller, each of whom scored twice. Both players took full advantage of the ball possession created by the Brown forwards who dominated scrums, lineouts and rucks. 

Yale was never a threat to win this match but gave a solid effort for 80 minutes. Brown simply had too much speed, ball control and teamwork on the day. Brown flanker Chase Bekkerus went down with an injury in the first five minutes of the second half. He was replaced at flanker by lock Eric Zhao and Eric’s lock spot was taken by sophomore Julius Abaje. 

The second half opened with two Brown tries in the first 10 minutes. Jon Kim made a break, passing to Hudson Lee for a try and Christos Economos made a 20 meter break and passed to right wing R.J. Oris who touched down for match try number nine. Neither try was converted.

At 59 minutes Brown had a lineout on the Yale 5 meter line. The ball was sent to center Alex Ogilvy who passed to Hudson Lee for a try which Lee also converted. With Brown holding a 59-0 lead, additional substitutions were made. At 61 minutes, Prop Max Spurrell was replaced by Sam McGoldrick, scrumhalf Pete Smith by Luca Tay, right wing R.J. Oris by Campbell O’Conor and left wing Hudson Lee by Jack Schaeffer. At 72 minutes, center Pablo Lavilla was replaced by O’Conor and Duncan Grant took O’Conor’s spot at wing. 

The last 19 minutes of the match gave the substitutes a chance to add to the score and see if they could hold Yale scoreless. Brown added three tries; the first by Zeller (three for the day) on a driving lineout, the second by lock Julius Abaje after a nice run by scrum half Lucas Tay and the third by prop Sam McGoldrick on a lineout drive. Solid defense preserved the shutout.

Referee: Anton Galou