Ruggers unable to defeat Kenyon

Women's rugby played their first game last Saturday against Kenyon College and lost 0-7.

It was the team's first game of the season and they managed to play a tougher and more skilled game against the more experienced Kenyon. The one try was scored on a breakaway that assistant coach Jim O'Keefe felt was due to the young team's "lack of killer instinct." The team agreed that the loss was a fluke.

"We played outstanding rugby," said coach Liesel Strickler.

"The score didn't even really reflect what went on," said senior Dani Bolovan. Kenyon's lead occured after one of their players was successful on a breakaway and earned a five-point try. Kenyon's kick for the extra points sailed through the goalposts, giving them a 7-0 lead.

Although Kenyon was able to breakaway for the score, Oberlin's scrum consistently overpowered thier opponents. "The scrum pushed really hard and were really together," said senior Camille Tourje. The first drive was strong, and the team managed to keep the ball on Kenyon's half of the field for most of the game.

Even though it was Oberlin's first outing, their skills and hard work showed. Strickler felt it was the best the team had ever played. Although Oberlin never scored, they were often close. At one point, Oberlin moved into the try zone, but confusion over rules prevented a touch down.

The team was worried they wouldn't be aggressive enough since they had only practiced with each other and never focused on "meanness" towards the other team. Kenyon was surprised by Oberlin's forceful playing and complained to the referee that they had "too much attitude." "Kenyon was perhaps the whiniest team I've ever encountered," said Strickler. Kenyon wasn't able to attend the after-game party, but that didn't stop the Rhino Ruggers from celebrating.

Legend has it that rugby was born in Rugby, England when some men were playing soccer and one of the players picked up the ball and ran with it. "Rugby is a game of possession whereas football is about yardage" said Strickler, and so comparisons between the two are fruitless. There are no downs, and the ball is advanced only through running and kicking. Passes are only allowed laterally and backwards. When someone is tackled play continues, because "the goal is to make them drop the ball, not stop in their tracks," said senior Heather Iram. Rugby is not based upon set plays but rather the improvisation and talent of the team.

There are two main parts of the team, which holds 15 people on a side. The scrum consists of eight people who form a sort of pyramid and push people over, using brute force to advance the ball. The line advances the ball through passing and running, but during play things become chaotic and everyone shares roles. A try, worth five points, is achieved by running the ball into the end zone. Two more points can be scored off the kick.

Oberlin has had a women's rugby team for a number of years, but it originally existed only as a loosely held-together ExCo where student teachers would come when they were available. Then about two years ago when most of the veterans left, Bolovan and some other team members began to organize the team. It got the approval and financial aid of the college and became a member of the Ohio Union for rugby. Bolovan started to schedule games. Strickler started coaching two years ago and enjoys it. "The team waxes and wanes in organization, but I think it's at a point now where it's going to grow," said Bolovan. The team has almost enough members to field two game teams and that helps keep the players fresh during competitions.

The team gets along well and the coaches have defined roles; Strickler handles the scrum while O'Keefe coaches the line. It is a club sport and so players attend practices of their own accord, but the team always has a good turnout, which is important in maintaining the intensity of the team. There are a few core returning players but many are new to the sport. Tourje said "You have to do it because you love it, because you get hit so much and it hurts. There's a certain amount of pain to it."

The Rhino Ruggers are looking forward to a tournament this weekend in Columbus, where teams from Ohio University, Dayton University and other institutions will meet and compete. The team feels they have a good chance of winning their first two games and making it to quarterfinals. Bolovan feels the team is " a hard bunch of women" who are ready to fight and tackle. But it's an overall team effort; sophomore Tara Ikenouye feels "it is best team sport I think you sould ever play."

All hands on deck: Lara Turner reaches for the ball in the face of Kenyon College. (photo by Mike Oleson)