Your Scrumhalf Connection

I have been waiting to post this video as I was hoping that it would be edited or uploaded to the media site at USA Rugby, but this looks like the best format we are going to get. I have heard a rumor about DVDs being made, I will post something if I find anything else out.

I had the pleasure of working with USA Rugby at this event, I did all of the commentating during the Sunday matches. I tried to verbalize as much as I could as I know the video cut in and out the whole weekend. The beginning of the video has some of the Beantown vs Valkyries match, but if you skip to about 5 minutes in the Berkeley vs New York game begins. At this point the crowd was huge and I was surrounded by lots of people so you can hear some of their chatter. When I explain that we have varying levels of viewers watching and I explained scrums, lineouts etc, I was explaining the rules to Ruth’s mother, father and grandparents (Berkeley #10) who were huddled around me listening to my comments.  It was really fun to be able to do this as I had never done it before!

For more details and the official USA Rugby writeup of the match, go here.

To view more YSC videos hover over the heading Videos on the navigation bar up top and choose Rugby Video Monday.

I had a blast commentating on all the matches yesterday on Ustream. Thanks for listening and the kind comments in the chat room are greatly appreciated. It was difficult to commentate on two matches at a time but I wanted to make sure that as much information as possible was available. The archived videos should be up in a week or so, I will post once I know something.

Also it was great to meet so many fans in person…thanks for approaching me!

from USA Rugby:

SAN FRANCSICO – USA Rugby concluded its two day Women’s Club National Championships on Sunday afternoon in front of over 500 fans at the Gaelic Athletic Association’s fields on Treasure Island.

With the crowd saturated in both blue and orange, New York handed the Berkeley All-Blues its first loss of the inaugural Women’s Premier League season, beating the top-ranked local side, 20-10, for the title.

The very physical encounter saw both teams ready for an intense rematch of last year’s DI Championship game, but in the end New York was able to wear Berkeley down, scoring two tries late in the second half to secure a large enough lead despite a brief comeback by the Northern California side.

Earlier in the day, the Women’s Division I competition saw the San Diego Surfers beat NOVA for their respective national title.

San Diego was a clear favorite early on, scoring the first try of the match just a minute in. Although the Southern California team wouldn’t score again until well into the second half, they did hold NOVA scoreless throughout. The Surfers walked away with a 14-0 victory and the top honors in Division I for 2009.

The third-place match in Division I, featuring Atlanta and Seattle, unfolded in a similar fashion as Atlanta’s rock solid defense helped secure the win. Atlanta walked away with the well-earned ‘w’, and a 10-0 shutout over the Breakers.

In other Women’s Premier League matches, Beantown walked away with the win over Minnesota Valkyries, 27-7. Led by Liz Terry, who scored two tries for the Boston side, Beantown was able to secure third place in the WPL’s first season.

Washington D.C. and Keystone also came out on top during the second day in the Bowl bracket. The D.C. Furies beat Oregon Sports Union 27-5 to finish seventh, while Keystone overtook the Twin City Amazons 36-10 to bring home the Bowl. Ida Bernstein led Keystone in the win, scoring back-to-back tries for the Philadelphia team.

Match reports from Kevin Sullivan of Ruckinginsurance.com below…many thanks and THANKS for letting me sleep on your couch tomorrow night!! To watch matches and see updated scores, go here.

The Weather was constant wind driven drizzell. Ball was a greased pig as all 6 sides struggled with handling errors.

NOVA 25 Breakers 23

Down 8 points with 7 minutes left, NOVA’s #11 Stacy Bennett score two unconverted tries to win. NOVA waived the conversion on the first try, since only down 3, and precious little time, they need a score of any type to keep the game alive.

Amazons 27 ORSU 20

Another down to the final minute match, Amazon’s Lynelle Kugler dotted down 2 yahtzees. Again, massive forward play with little room for the backs. Conditions began to worsen after…

Surfers 21 Atlanta 10

Atlanta came to play. First possession saw Atlanta’s backs slice between the 13 and Wing for SD. Smart kicking kept the Surfers in their end of the pitch, and SD were unable to string together any phases because of handling errors. At half, Atlanta led 10 to 7.

Second half, second story. Having the wind, and understanding the conditions, the Surfers struck back with a multi-phase try. Conversion put them ahead of Atlanta 14 to 10. Then, both sides seemed to live between the 10s, with no one gaining any momentum. Atlanta attempted to go wide, then pop back inside. Back Rower Barker, for San Diego, intercepted and the Surfers put the match away 21 10.

Keystone 27 DC Furies 7

Upstart Keystone made short work of DC in second half of another forward weather-created battle. It was 5 to 5 at halftime, but Keystone adjusted to the conditions faster than their opponents, and rolled another 22 points. Coach Peter Steinberg made the adjustments he needed to, and Ines Rodriquez answered his call with two tries.

NY 13 Beantown 10

The sides’ supporters were loud enough to drown out the whistle on the opposite field. This was a war, a slow, WWI trench war, with little ground and certainly no quarter.

Beantown’s scrum dominated. Every put-in was Town’s ball, regardless of who was awarded the scrum. NY adjusted by keeping the ball wide, and put together zig zagging phases early. Two penalties had NY up 6 to zero at half.

In the second chucker, Beantown figured out that they were bigger than NY. Phraida Knight did her damnedest to steal pill, but Town’s pick-n-goes drove over two tries, almost on the exact same spot. With precious minutes left, Boston tackled as if they were coached by Bill Belichek himself!

The wide game proved too much, however, and NY #13 finally broke the tackle of her opposite. With the fullback to beat, a simple pop pass to her #14, and a 7 pointer was scored. Standout player for NY was their fullback. Bean tried to kick to kill clock, but the 15 made grab after grab, once instance, with a wet ball and lousy conditions, pulled in the pill one-handed, and returned a run of over 35m!

Berkeley 19 Minnesota 5

Minnesota had Berkeley on the Ropes. Like George Foreman, Ali was taking blow after blow, just absorbing pressure. Though the first half was scoreless, the Valkyries dominated as if driven by Odin himself.

The second looked to be the first. Relentless pressure on the All Blues resulted in an un-converted try for Minnesota. Would the defending National Champions fall in the Semis?

Nope.

What Berkeley need was possession inside the Minnesota half. A mid field scuffle saw Ashley English on the toe, turning the corner. Number 8 Blair Groesfma supported kept her feet, and maintained possession. A quick ruck, a quick chip, and the far side winger for Berkeley put downward pressure on the ball. Berkeley 7, Minnesota 5.

Berkeley’s fitness was obvious. Keeping in Minnesota’s half with kicks and punches, another loose ball was dove upon for another try. Berkeley 12 Minnesota 5.

Minnesota had chance after chance, driving hard with the Forwards back into Berkeley territory. The conditions decided to take a piece from the Midwestern ladies, and Berkeley found themselves dashing up a sideline for the put away try. The conversion ended the match 19 5, Berkeley.

Kevin Sullivan
Ever Get Hurt Playing Rugby?
RuckingInsurance.com
800-605-5024
Ca Lic 0E92750

To watch the matches LIVE and see updated scores, go here.

Weather permitting, USA Rugby will also be streaming the matches held on Field 1 for those unable to attend.  Watch below:

from USA Rugby:

SAN FRANCISCO – In conjunction with the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, USA Rugby will host the Women’s Premier League and Women’s Division I Club National Championships on Friday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 8, on Treasure Island in San Francisco.

The four victorious clubs from October’s Division I playoffs will compete for the Women’s Division I national title, while all eight member teams of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will compete in the first-ever WPL Championship. Inaugural WPL league play kicked off in early September and featured the top senior women’s clubs from across the U.S. in an elite six-match competition to determine their final seeds at this National Championship.

Friday will feature all teams in pool play, leading into Sunday’s trophy rounds and culminating in the crowning of the 2009 National Champions in both the Women’s Division I and Premier League.

All play will take place at the Gaelic Athletic Association’s fields at 11th Street and Avenue E on Treasure Island.

Admission is free to all spectators and there will be vendor’s onsite selling food, refreshments and rugby gear.

Also the D2 Championships will be happening on Sat/Sun in Houston, TX. The Girl will be sending in scores from that tournament as well, check out that scoreboard here.

In a continuing partnership with USA Rugby, YSC is proud to bring you the Week 5 Women’s Premier League Videos. Thank you to all the teams for your commitment to highlighting women’s rugby and continuing to use technology to further the game.

Week 6: NYRC vs Furies 1st half (10/25/2009) from Women’s Premier League Rugby on Vimeo.

Week 6: Keystone at Beantown (First Half) from Women’s Premier League Rugby on Vimeo.

Week 6: ORSU @ Berkeley 1 st half from Women’s Premier League Rugby on Vimeo.

Week 6: Amazons vs. Valkyries from Women’s Premier League Rugby on Vimeo.

For more coverage of the Women’s Premier League, please visit the master page!