Our final game before next week’s Nationals meant making the short trip to Babson College.  The main objective was to look at some new combinations and give those on the fringes of the squad one more chance to put their hand up for selection next week.

One of the great strengths of the team this season has been the versatility of so many of the players. Several have played in three or four positions, and it has been common for a fly half to replace a prop (via some shifting around.) With our resources being tested to the limit due to a bad run of injuries, it was important to give players some game time in unfamiliar positions that they may have to fill next weekend.

From the start BU forwards clearly had the upper hand in the set pieces and showed more physicality at the breakdown. However, poor handling, and many unforced errors were letting us down. The backs were guilty of trying to force the pace and offloads when patience and playing for position would have served us better.

Impressive rucking and high work rate gave us a slender 14-7 lead at halftime. Ten changes at for the second half did little to change the pattern of the game as the BU forwards continued their dominance and the very inexperienced backline showed a lack of killer instinct in the last quarter of the field. We eventually ran out 21-14 winners.

Whilst we did not reach the level of performance we have in recent weeks, it was pleasing to keep the winning momentum, try out alternative combinations, and perhaps most importantly, come away with no further additions to the casualty list.

Excitement and nerves will definitely be prevalent during this week’s training sessions as we bid this weekend to qualify for the Final Four. Our opponents on Saturday will be Towson. Kick off 11am at Dartmouth’s rugby field in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Kind regards,

Justin Evans

Coach, BURFC