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Rugby - Football, British Style

The basics of rugby for those who want a real man’s sport. You don’t need any pads or special equipment and this sport will really challenge your stamina and strength.

By Neal Scott A Huntsville Rugby Club team member races for the goal (he made it!)

When someone mentions football, most Americans assume they are referring to the game where players in body armor and helmets line up in set positions, band helmets for a few seconds, then retreat tot he huddle for rest and to call another play. To the 75+ members of the Huntsville Rugby Club, football means Rugby football, the British predecessor of the American game. Rugby involves players with no padding, who are rarely in set positions, and not-stop action excepting halftime and injuries.

Coming out of a scrum the ball gets loose and the action speeds up

Rugby is played by a team of 15 players, 8 forwards or scrummers, and 7 backs. Each man has a set position for restarting play, but must be capable of filling wherever the game flow dictates. Any player may advance the ball by running, kicking or laterally passing to a teammate. When tackled, the ball must be released immediately and the next man at the tackle, remaining on his feet, picks up the ball and continues. The action is not-stop for 40 minute halves with a five minute halftime. Substitutions are allowed only for injuries. A try (5 points) is scored when a player touches the ball to the ground in the opponents try zone. The point after, actually 2 points, must be taken from the touch down location. A player crossing the try line near the sideline will run to the center of the field before touching down, giving the kicker the most advantageous angle possible for the conversion.

In the Fall of 1978, The Huntsville Rugby Club was formed when recent graduates of UAH, no longer eligible for college Rugby, realized they would either have to start a team for non-students, find a new sport, or slowly grow fat and lazy. Fortunately, they chose wisely and in September of 1978 The Huntsville Rugby Club played it’s first match against their former teammates at UAH. A win in this match set the standard for Huntsville Rugby, the club never having a losing season.

Conflict on the rugby field

The Club has secured land and constructed two rugby fields, a pavilion, and installed underground sprinklers on the primary field. We field two sides each weekend during Fall and Spring seasons against City Clubs and Colleges throughout the South. We invite anyone interested in learning more about Rugby to contact one of our members listed below. All new players are welcome and no experience is required, only the desire to learn a new sport and have fun.

Neal Scott is a member of The Huntsville Rugby Club and is eager to help anyone become a full fledged rugby player. He can be reached at 205-721-9635

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