Happy Halloween!

The field we practice at on Tuesdays was super empty tonight. The hordes of elementary school soccer players must have had the night off for trick-o-treating. The All Blues also weren't there. I suppose they needed a break after this weekend. Congrats to them for making the final four!

Stanford 10's

The Stanford 10's tournament was yesterday and I'm really proud of what we did. I was on the Cal Blue team. We went 3-2 in pool play and then were eliminated by SF Fog in the first game of the playoffs. The Cal Gold team made it all the way to the final but lost to SF Fog. While winning again would have been great, taking second place to a good women's club team is great considering we're at the very beginning of our season. We played some good rugby. Our rookies really stepped up and there are some who are going to be phenomenal. A couple of our forwards also had some amazing runs that resulted in tries, which I think happens more in 10's than 15's. I also have to hand it to the vets who played game after game in the heat, some of them playing out of position, and who really gave it everything they had. Of course, the tournament exposed the things that we have to work on but there was nothing that cannot be fixed. We need to work on spreading out of defense and coming up flat. Also, we need to have one person to a tackle and better communication. However, given that in many of the games the lineup was majority rookies I would say that we did quite well.

The tournament showed me just how much I personally have yet to learn. I played three different positions: inside center, flyhalf, and then outside center. I wouldn't say I was horrible at any of them but I definately am not comfortable as a back yet. Plus, I really need to work on my speed and for some reason my dropkick deserted me for the game I played flyhalf. That was a bit embarrassing. I gave it everything I could though and I have the bruises to prove it, including a right knee that is gigantic and swollen.

On a different note, while I was sitting on the sidelines yesterday I noticed the different styles of the various coaches that were there. There were two teams who had rather loud coaches. The kind that go hopping down the touchline yelling stuff at their players, the other team and the ref. It made me grateful that I don't have a coach like that. I find it rude and I have difficulty respecting such a person. Calm leadership and disappointment work a lot better with me than shouting and anger.

Lastly, congrats to the All Blues for winning yesterday and good luck today!

Big Saturday!

Stanford 10's are tomorrow! We've got two teams in the tournament with a mix of vets and rookies on each team. I'm super excited. The rookies are finally going to get to play. This is gonna be fun!

Also, the women's club Sweet 16's are this weekend. Good luck All Blues!

Flyhalf again?

Tonight's practice was a really good one. We ran lines and did some tackling drills. Then we ran general motion although with 10 to a side instead of the usual 15 because we're gearing up for Stanford 10's. We ended up having enough for 3 sides and so we switched off playing each other. They stuck me at flyhalf this time around, which was rather interesting since I haven't played there since early last fall. As much as I like being the utility player I'd like to stick to one position and really get to know it inside and out. I don't feel like I have much experience at any one position. However, as a vet I do find myself talking more and that's always a good thing. Now if I could only get back my tackles...

Beantown

Yesterday was our game against Beantown's b-side. The All Blues first played at 10. They won but Beantown put up an impressive fight. Our game was scheduled to start at 12 but actually started around 12:15. It was a hard game and we lost 12-27 but we have a lot to be proud of. It was our lack of fitness that eventually allowed them to really pull ahead but that's to be expected since we're at the beginning of our season and they're at the end of theirs. We did the basics well and we pressured their backs into fumbling the ball quite a bit. Now we need to work on solid defense and getting to the break downs in time.

From a personal perspective, I was actually really pleased with this game. I went in at the half at outside center, a position I'd only played once before for about 20 minutes. I missed tackles and was breathless but I was able to do some good things and my legs held up which was what I was really worried about. Everything else can be improved as long as the injuries stay healed.

Falling back in love...

I have to admit that I've been a bit bummed out about rugby lately. Mostly it's because I'm still battling injuries and it's hard to remain 100% positive when it seems like nothing will ever heal. Also, school has been super stressful what with me getting sick and having midterms so it's been hard to attend practice knowing that I should be studying. Tonight was different. I still have a midterm tomorrow but I'm positively giddy about rugby. Tonight at practice we did tackling and then general motion play for the first time with the rookies. Practice was just a huge confidence booster. My tackling still needs major work but I got a good hit tonight that just reminded me that I can handle it. Then during the general motion play I was the one directing the rookie flyhalf and outside center. It just felt good to be reminded that I know this game and that I still love it. Until today I was really nervous about our game Saturday. Now I'm just excited to get out there and play again. I don't even care that I'll be playing in a position I've never played in before. Maybe I'll love inside center and I'll have finally found a position home. If not, baby 8 is always there for me.

In the beginning...

This is my second year playing rugby. Before rugby, I figure skated recreationally and took a couple dance classes through my high school. I never would have even considered rugby if my roommate last year hadn't picked up a flyer and brought me to the intro meeting. Even though I've been plagued by several chronic ailments, I'm hoping to play consistently this year.

We had a special vet's practice today because next week we're facing Beantown's b-side. I'm probably going to be an inside center for this game just because we're hurting for numbers. After spending all of last semester as a forward, back plays are completely foreign to me. It was great just to get out and run around though since I was sick the past week. Now off to ice and study!