This past Saturday, the DWRC overcame high winds at Sachem and prevailed over Brown University by a score of 19-7.
The A-Side game featured lots of countgerattacking by the green back three. Fullback Molly Johnson '02 and wing Nina Markey '02 worked well together a couple of times to bring the ball out from near the Dartmouth try zone.
A pass from scrumhalf Catherine Dale '04 to an alert Markey on the weak side led to the first try of the game for 2nd row Karin Ljungquist '02. A kick from the corner missed.
Later in the half, long runs by inside center Bridget Waitkus '02 and Markey led to another try for Ljungquist. This time, 8-man Betsy Super '02 converted the kick. Things didn't change much (or indeed, at all) until halftime, when the score remained 12-0.
Johnson scored the lone Dartmouth try in the second half. After the Big Green threatened the tryline numerous times, Johnson finally broke through off of a five meter scrum. Super again converted the kick.
Also of note was a bizarre role reversal in which former ruggers Kathy Hubbard and Kristen Belano, both '02, received cheers from the pitch while standing on the sideline.
Towards the end of the game, the DWRC backline, perhaps still confused by the cheering incident, lost a pass at their own 40 meter line to a Brown player who ran it all the way back for a try.
Many DWRC members expressed frustration at the game, which was decidedly messy, even more so than usual. Brown's excessive mauling made it hard for the Green to get into a rhythm and there were more knock-ons than anyone cared to count.
Still, impressive tackling by Johnson and center Joyce Fu '03, both of whom stopped potential tries provided a bright spot in what many deemed a somewhat subpar day.
The B-side game, although suffering the same mauling problems as the A side game, showcased the versatility of the DWRC. Despite the fact that the front line featured two usual flankers (Niki Leiter and Tory Tompkins, both '04s), not a single scrum collapsed.
Wings Jackie Johnson '05 and Sonia Tarantolo '04 had several nice runs, while flanker Angelina Stelmach '02 and outside center Cate Macomber '04 led the Green defense.
Toward the end of the game, Elisse "iamnowthebsideflyhalf" Gaynor '03 scored a try off of a pass from teammate Stelmach. She also converted the kick. Alas, the game ended in a 7-17 loss.
The DWRC plays Yale in New Haven tomorrow morning as a part of the Eli's Tri-centennial celebration.
