Highlight Reel 2009: Rugby

For those of you who didn't know, I've been playing Rugby at Earlham for the past two years. However, this past fall was the most enjoyable season by far. For the first time, we could play a full side of girls (that would be 15) with subs, and play 7s (scrimmage) in practice.

I'm not sure if this was a team first, but I had my first home rugby game against Hanover. Even with the super cold weather, the fan support from Earlham was fantastic! Even my parents and Matt came out to see us play. (I don't think either of my parents were quite prepared to see me playing Rugby. I got tackled pretty hard over by the sideline where my mom was standing and definitely heard her make that "hssssseeee" noise she makes whenever someone is about to crash.)

Since our Rugby field was under "surprise construction" we got to play on the men's practice football field. After a little rain the night before, our new pitch was a complete mud bowl, making the sliding and tackling that much more fun. The game was very evenly matched with close saves on both sides, but we ended up winning 15-0 with Sara Mitchell-Olds, Yusra Saleh, and myself scoring our team's three tries (Rugby's version of a touchdown). Not only were the games and practices fantastic but I loved hanging out with all of you ladies! You are a wonderful bunch of women and I will miss you all when I'm abroad. Hope spring season is a blast!