Original Article: http://dartreview.com/archives/2006/04/07/rugby_tour_journal_south_america.php
Friday, April 7, 2006
After departing Hanover on a cold day with light snow falling, the Dartmouth Rugby Football Club arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the morning of Thursday, March 16th to heavy rainfall. Despite the initial rain and gloom, the balmy weather made even the downpour a refreshing departure from the New Hampshire winter. Practice was canceled due to the weather and we made ourselves comfortable in the beautiful city. Over the course of the tour, we found the people of South America to be quite welcoming, especially our fellow ruggers.
That Friday morning the team traveled to San Isidro Club (SIC) for a muddy training session in preparation for the match the following day. The spectacular facilities and lush countryside, just outside Buenos Aires, provided a lovely backdrop for the pitches and the clubhouse. After practice, the team was treated to Argentine hospitality and some delicious grilled jamon and queso sandwiches. That evening we explored the city as the rain subsided and prepared for the match the following afternoon.
The team arrived at the SIC pitch early on Saturday and watched hundreds of young Argentineans learning to play rugby. Kickoff against the SIC U-21s side came that afternoon as our full squad took to the pitch for the first time since the Northeast Championship last fall. Although Dartmouth was successful in maintaining possession and territory for a good part of the match, the SIC squad was particularly adept at taking advantage of transition ball and were able to best us by a score of 7 to 55. Despite the disappointing score, the Indians were proud of their effort and were able to work out some glitches in the scrum and backline that came from having not played together for so long. The SIC provided the DRFC with an excellent post match pasta lunch, and following our meal the team left to watch Club Universidad de Buenos Aires (CUBA) take on La Plata University in a Division One match up.
Saturday night was tempered by the need to play another match the next day, and we were reminded of the physical rigors that come with playing competitive matches. We departed on Sunday afternoon for the rugby club Puerrydon and kickoff came at three on a beautiful, hot, and humid day in the fields outside the city. Puerrydon challenged Dartmouth early, but strong defense on the goal line set the tone for the remainder of the match. A 30-meter scrum was quickly played to the back line and into the hands of Aziz Sayigh, who found the try zone. Fullback Andrew Caspary converted the score to give Dartmouth an early 7 - 0 lead. Puerrydon quickly answered back equalizing the score. However, the men in green were ready for the challenge and a penalty on the 40-meter line led to quick multiphase play. Forward support was able to punch the ball into the try zone, giving Josh Weinberg the try and making the score 12 - 7 at the half.
Both teams exchanged possession and territory early in the second half and Dartmouth was able to repel several strong advances by Puerrydon near the try line. Midway through the half, the Dartmouth scrum was able to push back Puerrydon on a 5-meter line, giving 8-man Mark Goodson a well-earned try by the entire pack. Gordon Silvera’s conversion made the score 24 - 7. Puerrydon was able to find an overlap in the closing minutes of the match, but by that time the men in green had secured a hard-fought victory, 24-12.
After the match, Puerrydon took us to their primary facility for a tremendous barbeque. The following afternoon the club was honored with a reception at the home of United States Ambassador Lino Gutierrez. Overall, playing in Argentina was a spectacular experience and all of the players and coaches felt truly privileged to have toured such an eclectic and exciting city. It was with a sense of excitement, however, that we traveled across the Rio Plata into Uruguay to explore another nation, improve our play, and continue to represent the College.
Upon arriving in Montevideo, Uruguay, the club began preparing for their match the next day against the Uruguayan under-19s National team. Los Teros fielded a strong squad as they prepared to travel to Dubai for under-19s World Cup. Kickoff came on a crisp Thursday evening under the lights at the Uruguayan national training facility outside Montevideo.
Dartmouth managed to open the scoring off of the boot of fullback Andrew Caspary, but the Teros answered back quickly and were able to take possession after the ensuing kickoff and punch in a try after a multi-phase attack. A blindside play off of a scrum deep in Dartmouth territory later in the half gave the Uruguayans a 12 - 3 lead. However, the men the green battled back with wing Mike Ribero finding the corner of the try zone. Los Teros were able to answer before the close of the half, making the score 19 – 8 at the break.
The second half began again in favor of Uruguay, as they were able to find the try zone, twice taking advantage of fractured defensive situations. Dartmouth was able to respond as strong set play gave Caspary room over the top to find Aziz Sayigh and make the score 13 - 33. After Los Teros picked off a pass for a try, Dartmouth’s Paul Huelskamp found a hole off of an attacking scrum making the score 20 - 38. In the closing 20 minutes of play, the Uruguayan team was able to capitalize on transition ball and find the try line twice to bring the final score to a lopsided 20 - 52. The sharp contest was defined by hard play in the rucks and quick offensive moves as Dartmouth played a sound game against a strong Uruguayan side.
After its tough loss to the Uruguayans, the team traveled to Punta del Este to soak up the sun and rest in the sands of one of Uruguay’s most scenic beaches. The following afternoon the Old Christians Rugby Club hosted the DRFC for an intra-squad scrimmage and barbeque. Departing for home the next day, we were a bit sad to leave behind great weather and our new South American friends.
Upon returning to chilly Hanover, this sadness has been replaced with purpose and eagerness to begin the spring season. In the coming month the Indians will fight for both the Ivy League and National Championships, putting the lessons learned on tour to work on their domestic opponents. This weekend the team will travel to Yale with two sides to defend their Ivy League title, won last year in Philadelphia. Having reasserted Ivy League dominance, the men in green will arrive in West Point, NY on April 24th to compete in the National Sweet Sixteen, where they will face Ohio State. This promises to be a hard contest and an opportunity for the DRFC to test their mettle against the best the country has to offer for the second consecutive year.