BYU Rugby Notches Early Season Victory

(from BYU Rugby update)

Provo, UT—The BYU Cougars started their 2010 season off well with a win against the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara today by the score of 50-5.

Being early in the season head coach David Smyth and his staff seemingly worked on their combinations and depth by running on over 36 players in the win.

The scoring started early with recently-returned missionary and former U19 Eagle Ryan Roundy diving over in the 3rd minute after a UCSB turnover.

After some kicking exchanges and mounted pressure from BYU’s forwards the Cougars’ Sophomore flanker Isikeli Volavola followed up with his own try in the 12th minute.

One conversion out of two for the tries left the scoreline at 12-0.

After the two try start to the opening 15 minutes of the season Smyth said he was glad to see his team finally hit the field and play hard.

“The boys did well,” he said, “We came out and worked hard and were able to get some pressure against a good UCSB team which led to some points. Obviously there were some mistakes and things we can work on, but overall the effort was good.”

Leading try-scorer of the day junior scrumhalf Shaun Davies made his own opportunity in the 20th minute from a UCSB penalty. From the penalty Davies would tap and run dancing his way 30 meters for the try.

Davies would follow up his effort with two more support-running tries before he subbed off in the second half.

Davies’ flyhalf counterpart and captain Dylan Lubbe would also tally a bevy of tries in the first half in the 28th and 38th minutes respectively.

Another recently-returned missionary and former Canadian U19 sophomore lock TJ Allred would score from a BYU quick tap penalty in the second half to round out the Cougars’ scoring.

Captain Lubbe felt his team’s effort was a good starting point for their 2010 season.

“We’re excited to be back on the field,” he said, “The guys worked hard. We have some things to work on, but this was fun. I’m looking forward to a good season.”

The Cougars will take the next week off in terms of rugby, but will be spending time at Camp Williams in Utah for a two-day team training camp. There the Cougars will spend time with military special forces personnel in a team-building environment.

Following the Camp Williams experience BYU will re-visit Las Vegas for it’s second of three trips to the city of lights to take on the Las Vegas Blackjacks men’s club. The Blackjacks topped the Division I table last year and are looking to ramp up for their 2010 season by hosting the Cougars.

Kick off for the Blackjacks is slated for 1pm on January 13th at Sunset Park in Las Vegas.

1st XV for BYU:

1. Mike Su’a
2. Ray Forrester
3. Mike Price
4. Mark Bonham
5. TJ Allred
6. Isikeli Volavola
7. Moana Hafoka
8. Ryan Roundy
9. Shaun Davies
10. Dylan Lubbe
11. Sam Wolthius
12. Sean Howard
13. Viliami Vimahi
14. Ryan Blaser
15. Andrew Harrison

Scoring:
Tries: Roundy 3”; Volavola 12”; Davies 20”, 47”, 51”; Lubbe 28”, 38”; Allred 50” Conversions: Davies 3; Lubbe 2