October 29, 2005

Providence, Rhode Island

BROWN WINS-DEFEATS UMASS 13-12

On a fine day in beautiful Providence (almost a tautology) the sun shone down on the
Brown sporting slopes. The football team beat an unbeaten Penn team, but far more
importantly across the road the rugby team came together and posted a close but
decisive victory over UMass. Despite missing some key first choice players (pack
leader and number 8 Rob Neville’08, propYale Wang ‘05 and fullback Patrick Roux
‘09) Brown won a game and dominated the game, despite the score-line. Most
pleasing apart from winning was Brown’s resilient, aggressive and stifling defence.

The game got off to a fierce start with both teams obviously knowing the importance
of victory on the day, both Brown and Umass had not won a league match this fall.
UMass had a strong pack, but quickly found that Brown were matching them and on a
series of offensive plays, UMass found themselves losing twenty yards so that Brown
were able to encamp inside the UMass twenty two. With possession gained Brown
attacked fiercely, but consistent infringement (the generous word for cheating) by
UMass restricted Brown from scoring. Simon Salgado’07, playing a commanding
role at flanker, took a number of crucial lineout catches and hooker Joe Elliot ‘08
went on some of his typical, but surprisingly effective headless chicken charges. An
injury to wing Aldun Andre ‘07, who had made a flashy break, prompted concern and
his strike powers were lost as he was taken off injured. Jon Michael Davirro ‘07
came on and had a powerful game from wing. Captain and inside center Matt Gelb
‘06 took charge and decided to opt for the simple three points. Flyhalf Jeffrey
Margulies 07 then stepped up and did the honours, slotting a nice little kick.

UMass clearly were rankled by the stiffness of the opposition and kicked off intent on
scoring. Number 8 Zach Whitener ‘09 went on a barnstorming run, as usual avoiding
space and trying to make direct contact with as many opposition players as possible.
Margulies put in a long raking kick and Brown were back in control deep in UMass
territory. A passage of rucks which were hit as hard as usual by Alan Gabel ‘08 and
Dave Schartz ‘09, both stalwart second rows created space. Margulies floated a
perfect pass and outside center Nick Stoker ‘09 hit a scything line to scorch through
before shrugging off two tackles and beating two men to post the first try of the game.
The kick was difficult, but Brown were up 8-0 and in control. Fullback Dan
Fombonne’07 made a number of scintillating runs from fullback, confusing the
defences with his awkward scuttle-like run of a crab. Deceptively fast this method
allows him to sneak past people with apparent ease. Unfortunately UMass managed
to stifle both efforts with desperate cover defence. UMass came back though and
managed to win a kickable penalty that they kicked to end the half 8-3 to Brown.

There was not much to say at halftime as Brown were playing well. The grit,
determination and resilience were there in abundance and there was a real sense of a
team. Perhaps playing with backs to the walls brings out the best in this team, and it
was certainly a pleasant way to herald in the end of the season.

The second half began in much the same vein, with the niggly open side flanker Dave
Meisner ‘07 irritating UMass’ forwards immensely. The scrums improved immensely
and props Kevin Thomas ‘07 and Ryan Couto ‘07 were now finding the push for their
feet in the muddy conditions. Whitener was still doing a fine impression of a wild
hermit desperate to make physical contact with people. Two impact substitutions of
flanker Matt Bubley ‘09 and lock Ted Brown ‘07 added some vigour to tired forward
legs and Brown’s defence tightened for what was going to be UMass’ attempts to get
back into the game. Limited to a kicking game UMass came back to 8-6, before a
silky backs move involving all the pairs of hands led to a looping Jeffrey Margulies,
pinning his ears back and propelling his squat muscular frame forward like a highly
irritated badger, dived over in the corner. The score was now 13-6 and all Brown had
to do was hold out till the end of the game. UMass battered away but could only find
points through a kicking game and with the considerable help of the referee who
seemed to determined to ruin Brown’s moment, clawed their way back to 13-12.

Defence was the watchword of the cold, draining afternoon and UMass were repelled
time and time again that heightened their frustration. The referee blew the whistle for
the end of the game and the players were elated, although Coach Fluck had a little
difficulty processing the emotion of joy and victory (it has been a while). We are
happy to report no heart attacks were had by any members of the coaching staff.

The most pleasing thing about winning was the reward that it gave a team who have
always worked hard and often been on the wrong side of luck. It was more than
deserved and we now look forward to cleansing Amherst from the metaphoric face of
the rugby globe.

Team 1st XV:

1. Ryan Couto’07
2. Joe Elliott’08
3. Kevin Thomas’07
4. Dave Schwartz’09
5. Alan Gabel’08 (Replaced by Ted Brown’07, 50 minutes in)
6. Simon Salgado’07
7. Dave Meisner’07 (Replaced by Matt Bubley’09, 50 minutes in)
8. Zach Whitener’09
9. Tom Flaherty’08
10. Jeffrey Margulies’07
11. Aldun Andre’07 (Replaced by Jon-Michael Davirro’07 – 30 minutes in)
12. Matt Gelb’06 ©
13. Nick Stoker’09
14. Ethan Brown’07
15. Dan Fombonne’07

Men of the match:

Forward – Simon Salgado 06/Zach Whitener 09
Back – Nick Stoker 09/Jeffrey Margulies 07
Brown 2nd XV (The Killer B’s) v UMass 2nd XV (actually most of their 1st XV looking
for a win)

10-5 to Brown

After seeing the 1st XV win the 2nd XV were determined to keep the afternoon a
golden memory. With the cold descending the 2nd XV took the field against a UMass
team compromised of several of their 1st XV players looking for some revenge. Sadly
they had clearly not heard of the Brown 2nd XV or the legend of the coach “the
Skippa” Barry’ (a legend in his own lifetime, this man even has a club at Brown
specifically created to celebrate the act of basking in this veteran prop’s charismatic
shadow).

The game started competitively and there was little between the two sides as play
raged back and forth. At times it seemed UMass might be the more physical but
flankerMark Fuller’09 and lock Dave Pearlmutter’09 stepped up and met the
challenge. In the backs, the ever composed Phil Roux 06 controlled the game
impressively from flyhalf with his precise and carefully weighted boot. Number 8Dan
Levitt’08 once again led from the front, but against a stern UMass defence, Brown
found they were unable to convert their chances.

The first score to Brown actually came out of a defensive situation. UMass went wide
and with a series of bone jarring tackles in the centres (rumour has it that center Hugh
Livengood ‘07, playing with his teeth now back in place, might have been involved)
the ball was spilled wide on the left. Wing Ruben Madrid ‘07 scooped the ball up and
fed center Ben Liotta’07. The ball came loose and the jinky fullback, Gus Crothers
‘07 pounced on the ball like a cat on a ball of wool and set off. Taking himself by
surprise he galloped clear of the primary defence. Suddenly it had turned into a
straight out race and with Crothers carrying a non-existent bodyweight, he simply
turned on the after burners and left several irate and floundering defenders in his
wake. It was a glorious score, against the run of play and utterly deflated the UMass
team, while giving a boost to the 2nd XV. UMass tried to mount a riposte, but the half
ended 5-0 to Brown.

The second half got under way and gave witness to one of the most glorious pieces of
total rugby that a Brown team has put together. UMass kicked poorly to wing Cain
McClary ‘07 who raced up beating a number of defenders. With forward momentum
Brown pushed towards the goal line, the play roaming from one side of the pitch to
another. Prop Chris Lornell ‘08 picked and drove as any prop relishes the opportunity
to do so (he got to run at little frail backs). Lock David ‘Big Soft’ Bloom ‘08, put in
the grunt work and with the play sweeping across the field, Scrum half David Yeh’07
fed Roux who timed an exquisite pass to put away Ruben Madrid 07 for a total rugby
score wide on the left. It could have been more if two minutes later, Hugh Livengood
‘07 had learnt to put the ball down in a less celebratory manner (the referee judging
the ball to have been dropped). To give credit to UMass they came back and got the
hard worked final score of the game to end it 10-5.

Brown 2nd XV team:

1. Caleb Miller
2. Jeff Stasz
3. Chris Lornell
 4. Dave Pearlmutter
5. Dave Bloom
6. Mark Fuller
7. David Meisner
8. Dan Levitt
9. David Yeh
10. Phil Roux
11. Ruben Madrid
12. Ben Liotta
13. Hugh Livengood
14. Cain McClary
15. Gus Crothers

Men of the Match:

Forward – Dan Levitt 08
Back – Phil Roux 06

Brown Rugby travels to Amherst College this weekend for a final match against a
team that defeated us earlier in the season. The players are confident they can avenge
this loss with the progress we have made in recent weeks. It will be a tough match
with a kick-off at 12 Noon at the Amherst Campus.

For any families and friends travelling to the match, take Route 9 East off I-91 in
Northhampton, Massachusetts. Follow Rt 9 East to the village of Amherst. At the top
of the hill in Amherst center, take a left and immediately on the right will be the
Amherst Athletic Center. Park where you can and walk behind the Athletic Center to
the field.

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