October 8, 2005

New Haven, Connecticut

YALE OUTMUDS BROWN’S FIRST XV 17-7

On a miserable rainy but warm day in New Haven (are there any other types of days
there?) Brown Rugby went to meet Yale, confident of their ability of two wins.
Brown started well playing into a strong first half breeze. Again, as before, Brown was
hampered by their inability to turn game pressure into points. Crucial mistakes and poor
decision making at vital points were again the Achilles heel.
Yale eventually won some possession and making use of the driving wind and rain
worked their way into the Brown twenty-two. A poor clearance from Brown gifted Yale
an easy counter-attack. Yale ran back hard and with the disorganized Brown defense
stretched, the Yale second row managed to crash over. A fine conversion put Yale ahead
7-0 going into halftime.
The score seemed to knock Brown’s confidence, and players began to indulge in some
ball watching. A non-aggressive defense from Brown spurred Yale’s game and led to a
simple shortened lineout. Yale’s seven scorched through a gaping hole in the backs from
a defensive misunderstanding and made the score 12-0.
Brown rallied and using the wind in the second half played the rest of the second half in
Yale territory. The forwards had some fine lineouts working their way down the field.
With time running out and ten minutes remaining a series of five metre penalties were
awarded to Brown. After repeated Yale infringements Yale Wang’06 (yes, that really is
his name, ironic really) eventually crashed over (belly first) in a manner any front row
forward would have been proud of. Fullback Patrick Roux’09 converted to make the
score 12-7 with ten minutes remaining, and the momentum in Brown’s favor.
As the conditions worsened Brown sniffed the win and drove downfield hammering at
the Yale goal line. With Brown going for the win and the clock ticking down, caution
was thrown to the wind. A dropped ball led to a kick and chase and a crushing Yale score
at the other end to conclude the contest. Yale failed to make the conversion to finish the
game 17-7.
This was a terribly disappointing game for Brown. Yale were an opponent we should and
could have beaten. Again basic mistakes, poor decision making and a lack of composure
at crucial times let Brown down and handed the game to Yale. Brown must learn to
understand the game and field position better if we are to turn pressure and opportunities
into points. The end of the game was positive for Brown as was the performance of the
freshman in the team who are playing as though more mature members of the side.

Men of the Match: Forward: Dave Schwartz’09

Back: Patrick Roux’09
First XV Squad:

1. Yale Wang’06
2. Joe Elliott’08
3. Kevin Thomas’07
4. Dave Schwartz’09
5. Matt Bubley’09
6. Simon Salgado’07 (replaced by Ted Brown’07 in second half)
7. Dave Meisner’07
8. Rob Neville’08
9. Tom Flaherty’08
10. Gus Crothers’07(replaced by Phil Roux’06 in second half)
11. Aldun Andre’07
12. Jeff Margulies’07
13. Matt Gelb’06
14. Ethan Brown’07
15. Patrick Roux’09

BROWN B SIDE DOMINATES 26-0

After the disappointment of watching the 1st XV, the 2nd XV took the field in even more
miserable conditions. The driving rain didn’t dampen the Brown spirits though and this
team is having an increasingly impressive record and reputation on the circuit.
Within ten minutes of the start, a series of bone crunching tackles from center Hugh
Livengood’07 and fellow center Ruben Madrid’07 dislodged the ball and led to a break
away try. Livengood picked the ball up off his toes having sprung up from making the
earlier hit. He raced away like a rampant gazelle until Yale dragged him to a halt three
yards short and offloaded to the ever present scrum half David Yeh’07 who scored under
the posts. Madrid converted with his lazy kicking style and the 2 nd XV were immediately
in a commanding position, ahead 7-0.
Yale tried to slow the game down, but met with firm defense from Brown, lock David
Pearlmutter’09 being particularly prominent with an impressive work rate. Several
powerful Brown rucks and aggressive forward driving led by hooker Jeff Stasz’07 and #8
Dan Levitt’08 resulted in the opportunisticYeh breaking blind and feeding the chunky
Ruben Madrid who jogged across untouched. The conversion was missed, and Brown
went into the half 12-0 ahead.
The second half continued in a similar fashion. Hugh Livengood intercepted a speculative
Yale pass and accelerated into fourth gear to race away for the score. Madrid made the
simple conversion and it was 19-0 and the 2nd XV found themselves in a familiar winning
position.
There was still time for one more score from Brown with a goal line penalty play scored
by flanker Mark Fuller’09, converted again by Madrid made it 26-0.
This team plays with a tremendous amount of heart and with a real ‘team spirit’
(something which needs to be developed in the 1st XV). The team is a blend of freshman
and sophomore talent with junior veterans. The most exciting thing is with the 1st XV not
performing, many players are pushing for starting positions in the 1st XV. Competition
for positions is a crucial part of a squad and the friendly rivalry is a strong point for
Brown rugby. There were some bright spots in a wet and disappointing weekend for
Brown Rugby.

Men of the Match: Forward: Dave Perlmutter’09

Back: Hugh Livengood’07

Second XV Squad:
1. Caleb Miller’09
2. Jeff Stasz’07
3. Ryan Couto’07
4. Dave Pearlmutter’09
5. Dave Bloom’08
6. Mark Fuller’09
7. Adam Emrich’08 (replaced in second half by Steele West’07)
8. Dan Levitt’08
9. David Yeh’07
10. Gus Crothers’07 (replaced in second half by Nick Stoker’09)
11. Ben Liotta’07
12. Ruben Madrid’07
13. Hugh Livengood’07
14. John Michael Divirro’09 (replaced in second half by Win Bennett)
15. Cain McClary’07

Men of the Match: Forward: Dave Pearlmutter’09

Back: Hugh Livengood ‘07

Given the awful conditions Brown Rugby wants to thank those that came out to brave the
weather and cheer Brown on. The match was attended by alums Mike Cappello ’83, a
former captain and newly appointed full professor at Yale. A remarkable achievement for
a guy with a slow sidestep, and by Bob Far ’67, former prop and great rugby fan. He
almost looked fit enough to give us a few minutes! In addition captain Matt Gelb had a
family cheering section, as did Hugh Livengood. Dave Bloom’s dad was in attendance
from NYC and the prize for the longest trip goes to Joe Elliott’s family who were visiting
from England…..they thought the weather was just fine!

This weekend is both Homecoming and Parent’s Weekend. Brown will play two or three
matches with the first match kicking off at 12:00 Noon. Refreshments will be available
for the Club’s families and alumni. Brown’s opponent will be Amherst College, which
this year is a very strong rugby club. Come out and cheer our young men on.
The matches will be played on our field, across from the Brown Football Stadium on
Elmgrove Avenue. Directions to the field are below:

Take exit #24 off I-95 and travel easterly (right off the northbound exit and left off
the southbound exit) to a traffic light at North Main Street (fire station on the right). Take
a left on North Main and travel to first traffic light and take a right on Rochambeau. Go
up hill staying on Rochambeau, then straight through full traffic light (gas
station/convenience store on left). Rochambeau then goes down a hill to a blinker. Take a
right at the blinker on Elmgrove Ave. The field is on the left across from Brown Football
Stadium.

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