Due to the weather and NC State field conditions, the state final match had to be rescheduled yet again, but this time it has only changed locations. Carolina has offered to play on their field, which is astro-turf and can be used under wet conditions. It will be A side only, kicking off at 8PM, today, Thursday 11/19. The feld is Carolina’s Ehringhaus field, a map is shown http://maps.google.com/maps?q=stadium+drive+%26+ridge+rd.+27514&spn=0.537865,0.936722&hl=en. We hope that our Wolfpack fans can re-adjust again to these changing weather conditions. Go Pack!

Due to the massive amounts of rain, the first re-schedule of the State Finals match, with NC State vs UNC-Chapel Hill, has been re-scheduled again. The game will be played at the same time and the same place, only now it will occur on November 19th. B side will kick off at 6:30pm and the A side will kick off at 8pm. The match will be played on the NC State IM fields, closest to Dan Allen Dr. Please inform everyone you know of this change, and we hope to see you out there next Thursday, cheering the Wolfpack on to a great victory!

Phillip “Yoshi” Burcal

Due to unfortunate weather, NC State was unable to square off against Carolina for the state finals match Sunday, Nov. 1st in Danville, VA. The NCRU state tournament is a two day tournament, though due to the location of the fields, the heavy rain in the night brought about unsafe playing conditions for the fields Sunday, and the games were forced to be cancelled.

The tournament was recently re-arranged this year, with NC State, ECU, Wake Forest and UNC playing in the top tier, for the state championship. The match up Saturday was NC State vs ECU, and Wake forest vs UNC. UNC end up beating Wake forest in their one full length match on Saturday. NC State beat ECU 31-3, in their match on Saturday. A notable try scorer for NC State is Brandon Mosinan, who put up 3 trys himself. Trys were also scored by Robby Dow, and newcomer to the NC State squad Matt Daniels. Will Teague kicked 2 successful penalty kicks. NC State was looking strong, and also looking forward to Sunday, to match up against their long time rival.

The game has since been rescheduled to be played on the NC State IM Fields, Thursday November 12th. The A side will kick off at 8pm, with the B side kicking off before that at 7pm. If you need directions to the field, check the “Fields” section of the website. We would be honored to have as many NC State Rugby club fans out there as possible, so that you may witness our State Championship victory. The NC State Squad is more rounded and stronger than ever, this wont be a game you will want to miss.

Article written by: Phillip Burcal

All players interested in rugby for the Fall, 2009 should come out on Thursday August 20^th, to the IM fields between 5:00 and 8:00, where the men’s rugby club will be greeting will all prospective players. The Club Sports Expo is new to 2009, as it replaces club sports day in the Brickyard. Instead, clubs will have a spot on the IM fields to put on a demonstration, and pass out information about their clubs. The Men’s and Woman’s rugby club have teamed up, and are sharing a space to put on a demonstration for rugby, by playing 7s rugby and rotating out every half. The woman’s team will play 7 minutes, then the men’s team will play 7 minutes, and so on. While the woman are on the field, our players on the sideline can talk to you about our club, and give you all the necessary information to come out and play. You are encouraged to hang out and chat with us, get to know us better before that first practice.

Now if you have played rugby before, BRING your BOOTS to the field on the 20^th, we will be happy to let you play. We will be playing the equivalent of a friendly 7s match, so it wont be too intense or too rough, since we will just be coming back from the summer.

Additionally, practice will be starting the Tuesday after this, August 25^th, so it is advised you start doing a little running before school starts if you are interested in playing. Regular practices times will be EVERY Tuesday and Thursday(rain or shine) on the IM Fields by Dan Allen Dr, from 5:30 to 7:30. Bring boots and mouth piece everyday, and try to get to field as close to 5 as possible. Practice will start at 5:30, so have your boots on before then and be ready to go.

I look forward to meeting all of the prospective players, and I hope to see you at the Club Sports Expo on August 20^th.

Phillip “Yoshi” Burcal – President/ Captain

The Wolfpack, a D2 team now has an exciting opportunity to now play our rival UNC, a D1 team, in matrix spring 2010. How is this possible? The creation of the Carolina’s Rugby League.

Traditionally, a fundamental problem has held back the potential of many college rugby clubs in this state, money. Money and our associated school’s support was the key factor that kept D2 clubs in D2 and allowed D1 clubs to continue in their division. D1 clubs in more recent times have had long distances to travel during matrix season, such as UNC having to travel to Arkansas State University, once every two years. D2 clubs, in just about all cases, feel they can hang with any D1 club in the area, only they cannot afford to travel. The solution? The Carolina’s Rugby League, organized by Andy Richards, former UNC Rugby head coach, and current NC Collegiate Allstar coach.

Andy got the ball rolling and has organized everything, following him receiving support from the majority of the affected clubs. The Carolina’s Rugby League has taken all the D1 and D2 teams in the Carolina’s, and allowed them all to play each other, while still allowing a D1 and two D2 teams to advance in the men’s collegiate championship tournament. The affected teams are D1 teams Clemson, UNC, and USC; D2 teams NCSU, Wake Forrest, ASU, and ECU. What this will effectively do is shorten overall travel distances for the D1 teams, while increasing collegiate rugby competition in the Carolina’s. The matrix season will now be 5 games long, effectively creating the schedule in the spring.

The proposed schedule for NC State is as follows:

-January 23^rd NC State @ UNC

-January 30^th App State @ NC State

-February 6^th NC State @ Clemson

-February 13^th USC @ NC State

-February 20^th NC State @ Wake Forrest

-February 27^th ECU @ NC State

NC State is excited for this opportunity, although it will force us to start very soon after we get back from winter break. We are especially excited about a season opener at UNC, our long-time rivals. This up and coming spring matrix season will be the trial run for the League, and hopefully will gain more support from the region, and the South. American Rugby News has posted an article which mentions our new League. Click on the link for this additional article.

http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/college/FSU_USF_step_up_to_DI.shtml

The Wolfpack met Carolina in Charleston at a tournament being hosted by the College of Charleston rugby club, on April 11^th. Among the clubs already mentioned, Wake Forrest was also in attendance. The tournament was the first of what is intended to be an annual tournament, hosted by the College of Charleston rugby club. A major player in making this tournament happen is Jim Lee, who funded much of the tournament, and has ties to all clubs in attendance.

The tournament started off with NC State playing College of Charleston. The Wolfpack could not seem to get anything going in this first game, and lost 13-0. The Wolfpack had three new players to the game start in this game, and all played exceptionally well, given it was their first game. A player who had a particularly good game was Greg Hesler, who was immaculate at full back. In the second game of the day, Wake Forrest beat UNC 19-7.

For the third game of the day, NC State squared off with their rival, UNC. As always, these games mean more to the players than just a 3^rd and 4^th place match. Both teams came out strong, and the first few minutes were fairly stalemate, until Robby Dow, at flyhalf, made one of his many breakaways during the game. Robby went into contact, and rolled the ball back to Phillip Burcal, flanker, who scooped it up and ran through a Carolina player to score the first try of the match. Shortly afterwards, Dave Hunt at outside center, broke a tackle, ran the ball to the outside corner of the try zone. Dave was able to center the ball right underneath the posts for an easy conversion kick. Dave put another try up, from about the same position on the field later on the game. Our fourth try of the game came from a superior Wolfpack forwards’ effort, from a lineout roughly 8 meters out, after Drew Lynch hit the back jumper. The forwards proceeded to maul right over the try line, and Bobby Lacy put it down for the score. The Wolfpack end up winning, 26-0.

Carolina’s athletes were not able to put anything together this game, especially in their back line, due to the exceptional tackling of Dave Hunt, Frank Davis and first time player Brandon Mosinan. Carolina’s forwards felt the heavy hitting of brand new player Eric Rountree, but he wasn’t the only forward running up to put a lick on the other team. The Wolfpack was blessed to have Joe Hogan back, who just served a tour of duty in Iraq with the Marines. Joe led the Wolfpack at scrumhalf to our win. Our “slobber-knocker” award goes to the player with the biggest hit in the game, but it was given as a joint award to all three of our new players, Eric Rountree, Brandon Mosinan, and Abe Harmon. They all hit with the intensity of a seasoned Wolfpack player, and gave them the award to let them know what we expect from them from here on out. The “bonehead” play of the game went to Abe Harmon, for dropping a sure try from a great Robby Dow play/ pass. Outperforming any other athlete on the field that day, in any of the games played, was Robby Dow at flyhalf, and he was our Man of the Tournament.

The last game was CofC against Wake Forrest, and Wake won it 26-6. There was a social with pig-pickin and beverage after the games hosted by CofC.

-Phillip “Yoshi” Burcal

Workouts to prepare for the ACI Tournament will start the day after classes begin, January 8th. There will be workouts the next week as well, on Tuesday and Thursday, normal time and place. This will all be in preparation for the ACI Tournament in Tallahassee Florida, on January 17th and 18th. Regular practice will resume on January 20th. All players new and old are invited to come and start working out on January 8th. Make sure you workout over break. I will see everybody come the new year.

Phillip Burcal

NCSURFC President

(Click to enlarge)

NC State played its first Friday night match under the lights at the Miller IM Fields on Oct. 3^rd. The matches opened in a contest with State’s 2^nd side taking on the NC State Old Boys in an exciting alumni match. The old boys showed their talent and put their experience to use as they attacked aggressively against the younger players. The Old Boys were able to put several tries on the board quickly before the current NC State guys were able to get their defense together. The half quickly came with the Old Boys dominating play. States regrouped at half time and began creating some offensive opportunities, but were not able to capitalize. The wily Old Boys continued to battle and grounded the ball in goal several more times, bringing the final score to 37 to 0 in the Old Boys favor. The match was well received by all and the club looks forward to hosting another alumni match next year.

Immediately after the alumni match, NC State’s took on East Carolina University. With the lights shining down, State took a quick lead in the first few minutes with 2^nd row Wes Hockaday driving into goal after off of some good aggressive work by the forwards. The score stood 5 – 0 with the missed conversion. ECU quickly rebounded showing why they won the South last year as they began to attack quickly off of the rucks and then spun the ball wide to put two tries on the board bringing the score to 10 to 5. State capitalized late in the second half with a penalty kick at goal by Will Teague bringing the score 8 – 10. ECU was not to be undone as superb support and a breakaway run added their third try of the night to the scoreboard. State began to give up several penalties close to their 22m line and ECU converted one kick at goal bringing the score at the half to 8 – 20.

State regrouped in the second half as a couple of substitutions put some energy back into the side. With a new focus on solid rucking, State began to put some attacks together. State center David Hunt was able to carry into goal, but the try was called back, though the penalty was awarded to State due to dangerous play. ECU showed their strong defensive will with solid tackling and ball recovery stopping NC State’s scoring drive and quickly beginning their own. Charging through NC State’s defenders they demonstrated excellent ball handling skills with quick offloads to waiting support. Putting two more tries on the board with one converted. NC State dug deep again and began to attack with hard nosed rucking rugby and gained some ball control, driving down the field. With a hard drive off of the ruck, and NC State player was able to cross into goal and touch the ball down, just as the referee signaled a penalty awarded for State due to dangerous play. Not to have the same mistake repeated, State worked a quick ruck into a maul and flanker Linden Kinnaird rolled off with the ball to drive through defenders into goal. ECU was able to recover the kickoff and showed superb back play and support to put their last try of the match on the board. State rallied again and began another drive with little time left. State closed in on the goal line and set up for an attacking scrum 10 meters from goal when the final whistle was blown. The final score was 13 – 37 in ECU’s favor.

Match report prepared by Jeremy Goodwin

NCSU vs. UNC-P & Bragg Sept 27, 2008

NC State travelled to Fort Bragg to take on UNC Pembroke and the Fort Bragg Rugby Football Clubs in a round robin on Saturday Sept. 27, 20008. The short matches were played on a warm humid day with a good number of spectators cheering on their teams.

NC State opened up against UNC Pembroke with a mixed side taking the field. Several State players were in alternate positions to test their skills. Pembroke showed they were ready to challenge as both sides began with solid, aggressive play. Neither club was able to string together more than a few phases of play, but NC State was able to score first as Carl Hoitt made a rolling move off of a maul from lineout to put 5 on the scoreboard. Parker Olsen converted the kick and State was up 7-0. Play continued, but poor ball control and penalties resulted in numerous stoppages. Carl Hoitt took the ball off of a penalty 15 m out and carried several defenders into goal as he grounded the ball. Parker Olsen converted the kick to put State up 14-0. Pembroke came back and began to string several phases of play together and threatened to score several times, but State was able to defend and recover the ball. A penalty once again allowed for the start of State’s ball movement and after several solid phases a quick pass to flyhalf Will Teague allowed him to charge into goal. The conversion was missed bringing the score 19-0. Play continued for several minutes before the referee’s whistle ended the match with NC State over UNC Pembroke 19-0.

NC State’s second match against Fort Bragg started out as a flat slugfest for both teams and continued that way throughout the match. Neither side seemed to be up to their potential as numerous penalties and knock ons kept either side from gaining any advantage. Fort Bragg attacked with a quick pick and run style that had them set up close to goal several times but NC State’s defense rallied with strong play from Craig Maxwell. Unfortunately State’s offensive series were short as they were unable to coordinate between the forwards and the backs. The referee blew the final whistle with two tired teams looking at 0-0 scoreboard. Both clubs agreed that they needed a winner and went to a gentleman’s agreement for sudden death. State kicked off to Bragg who attacked aggressively with solid play from both their forwards and backs and were able to grind the ball in for a try, ending the match with Fort Bragg over NC State 5-0.

Match summary prepared by Coach Jeremy Goodwin

The game was very hard-fought, and thrilling right down to the last few minutes. UNC controlled most of the first half scoring two tries, though Bryan Maxwell put a penalty kick through for a score at halftime of 12-3. The second half was much more balanced between the two teams, with Russell Reagan scoring our only try to get the team fired up. UNC and NC State played a field position battle for most of the second half and within the last few minutes of the game, Joe Hildebrand had a disputable try under the posts, held up, and a 5 meter scrum was called to NC State. Off this 5 meter scrum, Russell Reagan and the forwards took the ball into the try zone and had another disputable try held up. NC State took it UNC right down to the end, but UNC remained on top for a final score of NCSU 8, UNC 12.

The B-side match was won by NC State, with the final score 10-0, NCSU. Corwin McNiel took a quick tap off a penalty, and after putting a move on two defenders, walked in and scored the try. In the second half, Aaron Easteppe broke two tackles on his way to a well earned try.