Providence, R.I. -- After last week's disappointing loss to Boston College, the Dartmouth rugby team went in search of their first league victory Saturday against Ivy rival Brown. In a strong showing, the team was led by captain Erik Richardson '05 and co-captain Brad Hogate '05, who each recorded hat tricks on the way to a convincing 64-9 victory.
Throughout the match, Dartmouth was able to capitalize on its bigger forward pack and speedy backs. Poor Brown tackling also allowed the men in green to play with long periods of continuity and to convert on several breakaways.
However, it was not all sunshine and lollipops for the Dartmouth squad, as they accumulated over 10 penalties throughout the game, on four occasions giving Brown the opportunity to kick for points. Such was the case 10 minutes into the game, when flanker Isaac Kardon '05 was penalized for diving into a ruck, though the Brown kicker failed to convert.
For the first 15 minutes of the game, Dartmouth would repeatedly go on long breaks before eventually turning the ball over. Once his team gained possession, the Brown flyhalf would consistently respond by kicking for territory.
In the 15th minute, Dartmouth scored for the first time when Hogate went over the top after multiple phases of play. Before the half was out, he would score twice more, and inside center Dan Correa '05 and prop Omar Foda '07 also managed to find the try zone for Dartmouth. By halftime, Dartmouth was up 31-3, confidently in control of the game.
Early in the second half, the DRFC again gave Brown an opportunity to kick for points on a penalty for diving into a ruck, which the kicker successfully converted to make the score 31-6. However, Dartmouth soon struck back with several tries. The highlight of the game came in the 69th minute when Richardson robbed the ball during a Brown lineout and then capitalized a few phases later with a 50m solo run through traffic. Along the way to the try zone, he broke five tackles, making good use of his oversized frame.
"Though we still have much work to do in order to cut down on our turnovers, it was a great team effort on Saturday," Richardson said. "It also helped that I remembered to bring my battle axe."
Richardson tallied two more tries before time ran out to bring the final score to 64-9.
Dartmouth hopes to bring the momentum it gained in Providence to this Saturday's match at Army.