Wake Forest began its foray into Division II with a 28-10 victory over UNC-W in Wimington on Saturday. Wake dominated territory and possession in the first half, and were unlucky not to go into the break up more than 18-0. Senior captain and lock Andrew Jessiman left the match in the 35th minute with a knee sprain, and his absence allowed UNC-W to gain some momentum in the second half. An unfit Wake side allowed two breakaways by the speedy UNC-W back three in the first part of the second stanza, but Wake sealed the victory in the waning minutes with a penalty and converted try by senior flyhalf Tyler Eure. Wake's other tries were scored by flanker Trenton Justice, wing Perry Salvagne, and flanker Timo Kawira.
Wake's second side handily defeated the UNC-W second side 25-12 in a 30 minute match of ten on ten. Wake was led by senior flyhalf David Hobson, who scored 2 long-range tries, and junior prop Dave Poplaski who also scored a try and dominated at the breakdown.
Wake is next in action on Saturday at Wake Forest against Appalachian State, the two time defending NCRU D2 champion. This will be a huge test for the Division II newcomers.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Where Are They Now?
This is the Wake Forest Men's Rugby Team, circa 1983. This vintage photo was kindly provided to us by Jim McCormack, who donned the Wake Rugby jersey from 1980-1985. If you recognize your former self in this picture, please let us know!Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wake Falls to UGA 6-3
Wake Forest lost to UGA 6-3 in a sloppy start to the 2008 season.
The first half of the match saw some extremely sloppy play as both teams tried to shake off early season rust. Wake Forest and Georgia could only produce a penalty goal each and the match stood even at the break 3-3.
The second half saw each team produce better scoring opportunities, with longer sustained drives into each other’s territory. Wake could not capitalize on any of their chances. Georgia was able to produce another penalty goal and took the match 6-3. All in all, Wake Forest showed many signs of good rugby to come, but the numerous penalties, turnovers and inability to recycle clean ball ultimately prevented Wake from winning its season opener.
The first half of the match saw some extremely sloppy play as both teams tried to shake off early season rust. Wake Forest and Georgia could only produce a penalty goal each and the match stood even at the break 3-3.
The second half saw each team produce better scoring opportunities, with longer sustained drives into each other’s territory. Wake could not capitalize on any of their chances. Georgia was able to produce another penalty goal and took the match 6-3. All in all, Wake Forest showed many signs of good rugby to come, but the numerous penalties, turnovers and inability to recycle clean ball ultimately prevented Wake from winning its season opener.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wake Rugby Alum Notches Hat Trick in First Men's Club Match
David "Buck" Buckingham, Wake Rugby Class of 2007, scored three tries in his first league match with Division II men's club New Orleans RFC. The New Orleans match summary is copied below:
On a cold, clear, sunny Arkansas afternoon, New Orleans and Little Rock opened their league seasons this Saturday in the South's Division 2 West. New Orleans traveled strong, making the 9-hour trip with 26 players for their first visit to an exquisite Little Rock rugby complex, nestled into a beautiful and mercifully wind-blocking pine forest.
New Orleans took the lead in the first minute with an inside switch from flyhalf Todd Fitzgerald to winger Rob Hoffman. A Pat Schubert penalty soon made the score 8-0. Little Rock then began to settle down, playing hard defense and putting together some impressive phase play, eventually resulting in a breakdown in the New Orleans defense that allowed the strong-running Little Rock loosehead to dot down near the posts. A back-and-forth affair ensued and, even though New Orleans never relinquished the lead, Little Rock continually struck back just when it seemed that the visitors were about to put the match away.
Little Rock played a sound game behind a big, very strong pack and an extremely creative flyhalf who caused havoc in the New Orleans defensive midfield all afternoon, but New Orleans ended up with the opening day win, 34-19. The New Orleans backs enjoyed go-forward ball for most of the day behind hard work and precision from the forwards at breakdowns and set pieces. Seth Magden and Matt Oerterling were constant annoyances in the Little Rock lineout, while New Orleans' front row controlled the scrums superbly. In addition to Rob Hoffman's opening salvo, fullback Trip McCormick added a try and wing Dave "Buck" Buckingham notched a hat trick. Schubert added three conversions from five attempts, tallying 9 points off the tee for the day. New Orleans hosts Jackson next weekend while Little Rock entertains Memphis.
On a cold, clear, sunny Arkansas afternoon, New Orleans and Little Rock opened their league seasons this Saturday in the South's Division 2 West. New Orleans traveled strong, making the 9-hour trip with 26 players for their first visit to an exquisite Little Rock rugby complex, nestled into a beautiful and mercifully wind-blocking pine forest.
New Orleans took the lead in the first minute with an inside switch from flyhalf Todd Fitzgerald to winger Rob Hoffman. A Pat Schubert penalty soon made the score 8-0. Little Rock then began to settle down, playing hard defense and putting together some impressive phase play, eventually resulting in a breakdown in the New Orleans defense that allowed the strong-running Little Rock loosehead to dot down near the posts. A back-and-forth affair ensued and, even though New Orleans never relinquished the lead, Little Rock continually struck back just when it seemed that the visitors were about to put the match away.
Little Rock played a sound game behind a big, very strong pack and an extremely creative flyhalf who caused havoc in the New Orleans defensive midfield all afternoon, but New Orleans ended up with the opening day win, 34-19. The New Orleans backs enjoyed go-forward ball for most of the day behind hard work and precision from the forwards at breakdowns and set pieces. Seth Magden and Matt Oerterling were constant annoyances in the Little Rock lineout, while New Orleans' front row controlled the scrums superbly. In addition to Rob Hoffman's opening salvo, fullback Trip McCormick added a try and wing Dave "Buck" Buckingham notched a hat trick. Schubert added three conversions from five attempts, tallying 9 points off the tee for the day. New Orleans hosts Jackson next weekend while Little Rock entertains Memphis.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wake Forest to Co-Host Atlantic Coast Invitational
The Wake Forest men's rugby team, in conjunction with the University of North Carolina men's rugby team and the Raleigh Rugby Club, will host the first ever Atlantic Coast Invitational Rugby Tournament on April 5-6 in Raleigh, NC. This tournament will feature the men's rugby teams of the schools whose varsity athletic teams participate in the Atlantic Coast Conference (NOTE: this tournament has no affiliation with the ACC). As of now, all 12 teams have tentatively confirmed their attendance and a fantastic weekend of rugby is expected.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Attention Wake Rugby Alumni
Wake Rugby Alumni-
The team is in the process of creating its own database of Wake Rugby Alumni email addresses and home addresses so as to eliminate the Alumni Office as a middleman in sending update letters and other mailings. The Alumni Office is extremely protective of email addresses and home addresses (which I guess is a good thing) so attempting to send anything to you is an enormous hassle, and, as we recently learned, in some cases impossible. Therefore, if you are a Wake Rugby Alum and would like us to add you to our database so as to keep getting updates from the team, please forward the following information to Wake Rugby Alumni Coordinator Critter Commins at commcj5@wfu.edu:
Name
Email Address
Mailing Address
Years Played
You can be assured that the team will use this information only for the purpose of keeping you informed of the goings-on of the team and to perhaps periodically send a small token of our appreciation for your continued support. For those of you who remain in contact with former teammates, please spread the word that we are collecting this information. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.
Patrick Kane
Director of Men's Rugby
Wake Forest University
The team is in the process of creating its own database of Wake Rugby Alumni email addresses and home addresses so as to eliminate the Alumni Office as a middleman in sending update letters and other mailings. The Alumni Office is extremely protective of email addresses and home addresses (which I guess is a good thing) so attempting to send anything to you is an enormous hassle, and, as we recently learned, in some cases impossible. Therefore, if you are a Wake Rugby Alum and would like us to add you to our database so as to keep getting updates from the team, please forward the following information to Wake Rugby Alumni Coordinator Critter Commins at commcj5@wfu.edu:
Name
Email Address
Mailing Address
Years Played
You can be assured that the team will use this information only for the purpose of keeping you informed of the goings-on of the team and to perhaps periodically send a small token of our appreciation for your continued support. For those of you who remain in contact with former teammates, please spread the word that we are collecting this information. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.
Patrick Kane
Director of Men's Rugby
Wake Forest University
Monday, December 3, 2007
Three Teams Confirmed for Inaugural Wake Forest High School Rugby Showcase
Unionville High School (Unionville, PA), East Mecklenburg High School (Charlotte, NC), and the Derwood Stags (from Magruder High School in Rockville, MD) have all confirmed their participation in the inaugural Wake Forest High School Rugby Showcase. The event will take place the weekend of March 1-2, 2008 at Wake Forest University. We are hoping that the 4th team will be St. John's Prep from Boston, MA, the alma mater of current Wake players Matt Storck and Christian Jewett. However, administrative issues are holding up their confirmation.
The purpose of this event is to give some northern-based high school teams the opportunity to play some preseason rugby away from the snow, while also showcasing Wake Forest University and its rugby program to interested high school students.
The Wake Forest men's rugby team will play an exhibition match on March 1 against an opponent to be determined.
The purpose of this event is to give some northern-based high school teams the opportunity to play some preseason rugby away from the snow, while also showcasing Wake Forest University and its rugby program to interested high school students.
The Wake Forest men's rugby team will play an exhibition match on March 1 against an opponent to be determined.
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