Dartmouth Dominates Notre Dame in Opening Match
Dartmouth's 7s was the big Ivy winner on Day 1 as they defeated Notre Dame 19 - 5. Dartmouth scored first, lead at halftime 7-5 and won going away by dominating the second half. Harvard also played an opening round game last evening but had to face recently crowned 15s national champion CAL. Harvard lost 42-nil. Tough draw. Tough loss!
Trys by Jarvis, Fish and Nick Downer led the way as Dartmouth won its opening round match versus Notre Dame
. ----- write-up from Rugby Mag ----- Dartmouth's Downer brothers were equally impressed, but found some solace in each other. "This was our first sevens game and it definitely helped to get out here early and watch the first few matches," Nick said. "And having Chris out there is like playing next to a best friend." The brothers' connection did well to help Darthmouth's 19-5 win against Notre Dame. The Irish pressured early and within a couple of minutes were staked out on the Big Green's five meter, but Derek Fish and Nick teamed up to work the ball down into Notre Dame's half. Paul Jarvis held his support lane as the two danced through the middle of the field, and was perfectly positioned for the try. Fish converted for the 7-0 lead. Notre Dame returned the favor just before the half, finally converting a long goal line campaign into points. After a lot of contact and tight ball, Andy O'Connor dove over the line for the try, 7-5. "We didn't have the ball much the first half," Chris said. "It definitely wasn't pretty." Nick was one of the few people who worked a chip kick into his game, and it paid dividends in setting up the first second-half score. Nick popped the ball over defenders to midfield, where chasers gathered and eventually worked to Fish, who converted his try, 14-5. The continually became progressively scrappy and players started opting for contact. Chris reiterated the essence of 7s as Dartmouth marched the ball down to the 10 meter. From a penalty, he sucked in two defenders, leaving brother Nick wide open for the path to the try zone, 19-5. "It was definitely cool to hear the 'Oh's from the crowd," the brothers cooed. "You really feed off that energy." ----- write-up from Rugby Mag -----
Dartmouth v. Notre Dame Scoring
1st half Try Jarvis, Pts Fish | Dartmouth 7 ND 0 @ 5:30 Try by ND (O'Connor), Pts failed | Dartmouth 7 ND 5
HALF - Dartmouth Big Green 7 ND 5
2nd half Try Fish, Pts Fish | Dartmouth 14 ND 5 @ 3:50 Try Nick Downer from Chris Downer, Pts failed | Dartmouth 19 ND 5
FINAL - Dartmouth Big Green 19 Notre Dame 5
Next Match - noon Sat June 5 Dartmouth Big Green vs Harvard Crimson
Day 1 Results
Ohio State: 10 Utah: 19 Penn State: 12 Bowling Green: 22 Dartmouth: 19 Notre Dame: 5 Cal: 42 Harvard: 0 Navy: 12 Arizona State: 10 Army: 5 Arizona St: 5 Tennessee: 24 Indiana: 10 San Diego State: 19 University of Florida: 7
Saturday, June 5 Universal Sports (LIVE) 2:00 p.m. - Florida vs. Indiana 2:30 p.m. - Arizona vs. Arizona State 3:00 p.m. - Harvard University vs. Notre Dame 3:30 p.m. - Utah vs. Bowling Green NBC (LIVE) 4:00 p.m. - San Diego State vs. Tennessee 4:30 p.m. - Army vs. Navy 5:00 p.m. - California vs. Dartmouth College 5:30 p.m. - Ohio State vs. Penn State Sunday, June 6 Universal Sports (LIVE) 2:00 p.m. - Challenger semifinals 3:00 p.m. - Championship semifinals
NBC (LIVE) 4:00 p.m. - Challenger final 5:15 p.m. - Championship final
NBC Sports will present coverage of the inaugural Rugby 7s Collegiate Championship this Saturday and Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ET from Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Universal Sports will provide extended coverage Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. ET.
In October of 2009, Rugby 7s was reinstated as an Olympic sport for 2016. It last appeared in the Olympics in 1924 with the United States winning the gold medal.