Last Saturday, on a busy day for Calvin sports teams, the Knights hosted a rugby match versus long time rivals Hope.
The two teams warmed-up under the morning drizzle as spectators, heavily supplied with umbrellas, began occupying the wet aluminum stands.
The first twenty minutes of the game involved strong efforts from both teams but no scoring as the audience steadily increased and the rain disappeared.
Many of those watching were clearly enthusiastic and appreciative at the sight of the Knights tackling Hope students, but otherwise seemed to have little grasp on the nature of the rules.
Rugby games are divided into two 40 minutes halves.
Teams receive five points for “tries”, which is when they pass and touch the ground behind the opponent’s goal line with the ball.
They receive two points on “conversions”: an attempt to kick the ball through the goal posts that follows a successful try.
They can also try to drop kick the ball between the posts at any point in the game, or receive a kick as a penalty, to receive three points.
The result is a highly entertaining spectacle that is more flowing than football but more violent than soccer, and easily enjoyed by even the novice rugby fan.
The two teams warmed-up under the morning drizzle as spectators, heavily supplied with umbrellas, began occupying the wet aluminum stands.
The first twenty minutes of the game involved strong efforts from both teams but no scoring as the audience steadily increased and the rain disappeared.
Many of those watching were clearly enthusiastic and appreciative at the sight of the Knights tackling Hope students, but otherwise seemed to have little grasp on the nature of the rules.
Rugby games are divided into two 40 minutes halves.
Teams receive five points for “tries”, which is when they pass and touch the ground behind the opponent’s goal line with the ball.
They receive two points on “conversions”: an attempt to kick the ball through the goal posts that follows a successful try.
They can also try to drop kick the ball between the posts at any point in the game, or receive a kick as a penalty, to receive three points.
The result is a highly entertaining spectacle that is more flowing than football but more violent than soccer, and easily enjoyed by even the novice rugby fan.
(Picture from Calvin Rugby Blog.)
In this particular game, Calvin effectually controlled the scoring, with two early tries by James Wood, Junior, and Don Byker, Sophmore.
Their kicks, however, were unsuccessful, putting them only 10 points ahead.
As the crowds thickened, Calvin’s dominance became more evident, as they tenaciously forced the Dutchmen back towards their goal line.
Calvin also controlled the throw-ins, where one team throws the ball back into play, and players from both teams throw their teammates in the air to try to catch it: to the uninitiated, a singular sight that appears to be a combination between a soccer throw-in and a cheerleading move.
A number of injuries and substitutions on both sides did not change the momentum of the game, and after scoring one more try followed by a successful conversion, Calvin won the game 17-0.
The win improved Calvin’s record against Hope to 1-1 this year.
Luke Berlin, a sophomore on the team, said “It was the hardest I’ve seen the guys hitting all year.”
Those less used to watching rugby games were also impressed with the effort and endurance shown by both teams.
Erin Coggin, a sophomore said after the game: “It was my first rugby game and I was really surprised by how brutal it was. It was way more intense than I expected, but I still had a great time.”
She later added that even though she hadn’t entirely understood the rules of the game, it was still great to watch Hope get manhandled into a 17-0 loss.
Their kicks, however, were unsuccessful, putting them only 10 points ahead.
As the crowds thickened, Calvin’s dominance became more evident, as they tenaciously forced the Dutchmen back towards their goal line.
Calvin also controlled the throw-ins, where one team throws the ball back into play, and players from both teams throw their teammates in the air to try to catch it: to the uninitiated, a singular sight that appears to be a combination between a soccer throw-in and a cheerleading move.
A number of injuries and substitutions on both sides did not change the momentum of the game, and after scoring one more try followed by a successful conversion, Calvin won the game 17-0.
The win improved Calvin’s record against Hope to 1-1 this year.
Luke Berlin, a sophomore on the team, said “It was the hardest I’ve seen the guys hitting all year.”
Those less used to watching rugby games were also impressed with the effort and endurance shown by both teams.
Erin Coggin, a sophomore said after the game: “It was my first rugby game and I was really surprised by how brutal it was. It was way more intense than I expected, but I still had a great time.”
She later added that even though she hadn’t entirely understood the rules of the game, it was still great to watch Hope get manhandled into a 17-0 loss.
To many Calvin students, that may be a reason in itself to become a follower of this exciting, fast paced club sport.
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