Playing rugby during January in New Jersey is an obstacle that derails the men's club rugby team's momentum every year, putting the club at a disadvantage every spring when it enters tournament play in March. The team is not allowed to step on its own field until March 13.
Looking to keep the team primed for the spring, the club's officers decided to renew one of its oldest traditions this year and planned a rugby tour to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago for Intersession. In Trinidad, the team twice beat a Trinidadian select side, mostly consisting of national side players.
At the inception of Princeton rugby in 1931, there were no local rugby leagues, so the Tigers often went on tour to countries where rugby was more popular. Since the Bermuda tour of 1948, tour has remained a staple of Princeton rugby, with teams traveling to England, Ireland, Scotland and throughout the Caribbean. Recently, the Tigers have not been able to tour since the spring of 1995 when the team went to England.
The planning for a warm weather tour began in October after the Tigers defeated Penn in a cold, rain-soaked game. After several post-game conversations, the team's officers decided that the club needed a return to its roots — a Caribbean tour.
Searching for warm weather, exotic location, and fantastic rugby, the club's tour committee decided on Trinidad and Tobago, which is well known for having the best rugby in the Caribbean. After contacting the Trinidad rugby union, the games were scheduled, the hotel was reserved, and the excursions to deserted beaches were planned.
On Jan. 24, the touring side of 21 players, consisting of students from all four classes, fled from snow-covered New Jersey to tropical Trinidad. After a day to acclimatize to the weather and tour the island, the Tigers faced off in their first match against a select side, mostly comprised of members of the Trinidad Under-23 National Team.
Playing for the first time in over two months, and with several players learning new positions, the Tigers stumbled a little at the beginning. The team made mental mistakes and committed costly penalties. But fortunately for Princeton, during the two months of recuperation the club was able to hang onto its defense. Led by senior forwards Wade Perrin and Mark Baur and senior backs Mike Carvin and Adam Peterson, the Princeton defense played very aggressively and surprised the Trinidad team in the first 20 minutes.
During this phase of attacking defense, the Tigers finally found rhythm in their offense. After a strong series of forward crash balls, the Trinidad team became cautious and kicked the ball into touch. With a lineout at the Trinidad 5-meter line, sophomore Ian Macqueen won the lineout, and with a strong push from the entire pack, Macqueen and Perrin carried the ball across the try line. This was the first international Princeton rugby try in nine years, and the first Tiger rugby points on the island since 1975, when the team last toured Trinidad.
The Tigers increased the lead after Carvin got a miracle bounce and beat the Trinidad defenders in a 30 meter sprint to make the score 14-0 in favor of Princeton at the half.
The second half became a test of will for the Tigers. After a fantastic first frame, Princeton began to run out of fuel. With only 21 players on tour, the starters began to tire after already playing 40 minutes in 85-degree weather while the Trinidad side brought in a entirely fresh lineup. Trinidad managed to score 12 points in the second half, but in the final seconds of the game, the Tigers did what they could not do against American teams in late October — stop a final attack. After a hard-fought match, the Tigers walked off the field with an upset win over the Trinidad team, 14-12.
After this bitter loss for the Trinidadians, Princeton did not have the element of surprise in its next match. Additionally, the Tigers lost several of their players to game injuries and one beach casualty. In the second game, the Tigers faced a much more serious Trinidad side without two of their team's starters. Instead of taking on the same Under-23 National Team in the second match, Princeton faced an older and more experienced team, with several players from the nation's adult national team.
Even against a highly improved Trinidad team, the Tigers came out with the same defense that won the earlier match. Inspired by the large crowd, the Tigers fed off the fans' energy. While the audience began the day firmly favoring the home team, by the end of the game the crowd cheered after big plays for both squads.
Going into the half tied, 0-0, Princeton took the lead early in the second half with a long try by senior fullback Cris White. In a back-and-forth game, Trinidad matched every Princeton score with a score of its own.
Finding an offensive flare that was missing in the first game, the Tigers scored with long "Champaign rugby" trys by both Carvin and sophomore wing Chay "Bingo" Dildy. Princeton withstood another last-second attack from the host side, and the Tigers managed to score a late try from a rolling maul, winning the game, 29-22.
After a week with two games, two days on picturesque beaches, and a final day spent yachting around the island, the Tigers returned to Princeton with sharpened rugby skills and a new tradition for tour.
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