Dartmouth Rugby Tackles Preseason, Canada Tour

The Dartmouth Rugby Football Club returned to Hanover, NH, on August 22 for the start of another preseason. The squad has been drilling intently since last Friday, enduring multiple two-session days under the instruction of coach Gavin Hickie and returning strength and conditioning coach, James Willocks. 

Assessing last season’s contests and the increasing athleticism, size, and speed faced as the team continues to compete against more and more varsity-like programs, the coaching staff emphasized the need for improvement in tracking/tackling, rucking, evasive running, and passing technique under pressure.

Kingston and Queens

On Friday August 29, the team bussed up to Kingston, Ontario, in preparation for Saturday’s midday match against Queens University, one of the more dominant collegiate programs in North America. Despite a strong effort from the Big Green throughout three thirty-minute periods, Queens delivered a controlling performance highlighted by pinpoint passing, piercing back line maneuvers and powerful running, finishing the contest ahead 36-0. Given the lack of prior set piece rehearsal, the DRFC’s tactical poise surpassed expectations, successfully executing 11 out of 15 offensive lineouts and maintaining possession on 10 out of 13 attacking scrums. In addition, the Big Green displayed fortitude in multiple red zone situations, staving off multiple volleys of pick-n-gos from the Canadians. Queen’s powerful centers and speedy wings presented a tough challenge for the DRFC, often coordinating textbook switches and last minute inside crashes to break the Dartmouth line.

Continuing to work on defensive alignment, basic tackling, and catch-pass skills will be an important focus for the next week of preseason as the team readies itself to host the Granite Cup. 

Warm welcome

After the match, the team ventured to Quebec for a much-needed detour to DRFC alum Robert Hunger’s riverside home. Hunger, fellow Dartmouth rugger and class of ’86, offered generous hospitality, world class smoked sausage, and some important advice for up and coming DRFC members. 

“When I was younger,” Hunger reflected, “these trips all seemed to just fall into place – the housing, the food, the alums – and it was just great. It wasn’t until later that I realized that it doesn’t just happen. It takes certain guys to always be there and always be contributing to the club so that you boys can have these opportunities. All I ask is that someday you be one of those guys.” Hunger embodies the characteristics of “one of those guys,” biennially opening his house to throngs of Dartmouth ruggers to enjoy beautiful views of the St. Lawrence, general warmth and revelry before the long haul back to Hanover.

Granite Cup this weekend

Dartmouth Rugby action continues this coming weekend on Brophy Field with the annual Granite Cup Tournament. All alumni, family, friends and neighbors of Dartmouth Rugby are invited out to the Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse for the matches. 

For directions please visit: http://www.dartmouthrfc.com/directions

We hope to see you there.