The first match of the season for UMRFC was on the international scale as they faced off against the Canadian Humber College. With a lineup that featured new names in new positions, such as freshman Jamie Demers at tighthead prop and ex-8 man Cole Van Harn playing outside center, it was sure to be an interesting match. The Wolverines came out of the gates swinging as they played very physical defense against the boys from Toronto. The first five minutes featured a surprising amount of kicks from both sides, but at 7 minutes into the game Michigan was penalized on their own 22. One quick tap and a pass to the fly half later, Humber had slipped through the defense and touched the ball down between the posts, conversion was good. Strong tough defense was consistent amongst the fowards after the following kick off until Humber squeaked one around the outside to their wing. With good from Michigan being followed by better offloads from Humber, it looked as though the Canadians were going to put more points on the board, but a determined chase put on by flanker Jesse Fenno stopped Humber just 10 meters from the try zone. Humber was penalized and Michigan kicked for touch. It was at this moment that the sir demanded a blood sub for Fenno who was profusely bleeding from they eyebrow due to an elbow he caught to the face a couple minutes previous. Several minutes later, and after a lot of scrummaging, the ball makes it out to Tohy Rakatovololona, who made an excellent line break and offload to Andre Cargill who looked as though he might score, but a tackle from the behind punched the ball out of his hands. Humber quickly scooped the loose ball and swung it wide to the opposite side where the winger brought it all the way to the Michigan 10 meter line before being stopped. A lot of both and forth rugby happened with scoring opportunities being squandered by both sides until the 35th minute, when Humber got the ball off of a lineout and dished it to their flyhalf who saw a gap in the line just wide enough to squeeze through and barely gets the ball down as he is tackled into the try zone. The conversion is good and the half ends with Humber leading 14-0.
The second half started with Humber kicking off. After a couple unsuccessful plays, Michigan tried to kick it out for field position but the ball didn’t quite make it past the out of bounds line. Humber caught the ball inside the Michigan half and kept trying to punch it in. After 4 minutes, Humber gets it wide to their wing who just makes it into the try zone in the corner. Humber goes for the kick, but its no good. Humber leads 19-0. Seven minutes later Humber scored again after some disorganized play to make the score again with no conversion. Humber leads 24-0. at the 56 minute mark, Humber played some tough defense against our somewhat scrambled Wolverines and were able to force a turnover just 15 meters from the try line and punched in another try. No conversion again, Humber leads 29-0. Play was very even after this but unfortunately the Wolverines could not score before the game was over. On the very last play, a botched lineout by Michigan gave Humber the ball, a quick breakaway and a nice offload meant another try for Humber with a conversion followed by the final whistle. It was a good time had by all, but Michigan is only gearing up for the rest of a long, soiled meat and sandy season.
On Saturday September 12 the boys in blue will be traveling down to South Bend Indiana to faceoff against the fighting Irish. Lets Go Blue!!
Pictures from the match can be found here:
Clarkston Photography, UMRFC vs. Humber
