Wake Rugby Partners with Triad Youth Rugby

The Wake Forest men's rugby team has entered into the beginning stages of a relationship with the Triad Youth Rugby Association. The partnership will officially kick off on January 11, as the team will host a skills clinic for the TYRA as part of the team's preseason training camp. Wake Forest will also host TYRA matches throughout the spring season. The first of these will be on January 31, as TYRA is tentatively planning to play both a U-15 and U-19 match as a curtainraiser for Wake Forest's showdown with University of North Carolina.

Wake Forest's involvement with TYRA will hopefully help strengthen the youth rugby presence in Winston-Salem. TYRA has simultaneously entered into a similar partnership with the UNC-Greensboro men's team in order to increase participation and involvement in Greensboro.

Any Triad youth interested in becoming involved with rugby are encouraged to contact TYRA Director Richard Ridewood at richard.ridewood@coats.com.

Wake Rugby Fundraising Raffle Underway

The Wake Forest Men's Rugby Team has kicked off its annual fundraising raffle. Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5. If you are interested in entering the raffle and supporting the team, please email team Vice-President Dave Poplaski at popldj5@wfu.edu. The prize drawing will be held on February 1, 2009 and winners will be posted here and notified by phone or email.

'08-'09 Wake Forest Men's Rugby Fundraising Raffle

Grand Prize: $500
Second Prize: $250
Third Prize: $100
Fourth Prize (6): $25
Fifth Prize (12): Wake Rugby Golf Shirt
Sixth Prize (20): Wake Rugby T-Shirt

Wake Rugby Legends Victorious at Homecoming

After the current Wake Forest squad defeated UNC-Pembroke 41-12 on Saturday, they remained on the field to play a second match against the Wake Forest Rugby Legends, a squad comprised of Wake Rugby alumni, coaches and supporters, rounded out by a few current players. The Legends scored early and often against the fatigued Wake team, winning 53-0. Alumni who suited up for the Legends included Achilleas Patounas '06, Justin Edwards '06, Hien Nguyen '07, Greg Wagner '07, Adam Blincoe '07, Rusty Hedrick '07, and Tyler Eure '08.

Wake Closes Fall with 41-12 Defeat of UNC-Pembroke

Wake Forest finished its fall rugby campaign with a mixed first and second side taking on upstart Division 3 program UNC-Pembroke on Homecoming Weekend in Winston-Salem. The inexperienced Wake side found themselves on their heels early as Pembroke ran out to an early 12-0 lead behind the stellar play of NCRU All-Star scrumhalf Rich English. Wake regrouped and two unconverted tries left them trailing 12-10 at the half.

The second half was a completely different game from the first 40 minutes, as Wake ran in five tries while Pembroke could not muster anything offensively. Wake freshmen wing Will Hank converted three of the five second half tries, while also touching down a try of his own. He was joined in the scoring column by fellow freshmen Brendan Shea and Charlie Crockett, both of whom scored two tries on the day.

Wake now moves into its offseason. Training will resume on January 10, when the team returns early from semester break for an intensive three day training camp leading up to the Atlantic Coast Invitational in Florida on January 17-18.