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Rugby 101 So, you want to watch rugby? Here’s what you need to know: The object of the game: Advance the ball into your opponent’s end zone, and literally touch the ball down on the ground. That’s where the term “touchdown” in football comes from, by the way. When you do that, it’s called a “try” and it’s worth five points. Like in football, a try is followed by a “conversion,” which is a kick through the goal posts. A successful one is worth two points. Penalty kicks can be attempted after fouls (if you’re close enough to your opponent’s end zone), and a made one is worth three points. Basics: Teams advance the ball by running, or by tossing or handing the ball laterally or backwards. There are no forward passes and no blocking. Teams can also kick the ball away from their own end zone, in an effort to relieve pressure. Tackling: Teams can tackle opposing ball carriers from under the armpit down. When tackled, players have about a second to release the ball into what is called a “ruck.” This is a large group of players from both teams that try to pick up the ball. The tackled player gets to roll the ball back towards his teammates, which usually results in his team retaining possession. Players are allowed to try to strip the ball away from the runner. Penalties: The most common are for high tackles, leaving feet in ruck and offside. A severe penalty may result in a yellow card, at which time the player spends 10 minutes in the “sin bin” while his team plays a man down. Restarts: When the ball goes out of bounds, there’s a “lineout.” The teams line up side by side, with the advantage to the team throwing the ball in. That’s where you’ll see players lifted in the air in an attempt to retain possession. Like in football, kickoffs happen at the start of the match, after halftime and any time there’s a score. In Rugby Union (see below), the team that is scored on kicks off, whereas in Sevens, the team that scores kicks off. Rugby Unions vs. Sevens: Rugby Union is 15-on-15, with 40-minute halves. Sevens is 7-on-7, with seven-minute halves. It’s also the version played in the Olympics, and the one most likely to be seen on TV. “Sevens is absolutely exhausting,” Clayton Rugby Football Club president Ted Hardy said. “Because you’re still playing on the same size field with half as many players. It’s meant for the speed-type players. With less players and more space to exploit, you want guys that can get at it.” Clayton Rugby Football Club donates books to library Submitted by the Town of Clayton CLAYTON — In their latest push to spread the joy of rugby in our area, several Clayton Rugby Football Club players dropped by Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library recently to donate a selection of books about the sport to its collection. The books range from “R is for Rugby” — which teaches children about the sport along with their ABCs — up to more advanced texts such as “Think Rugby” and “Rugby Revealed,” which cover strategy and techniques for serious players and coaches. The Clayton Rugby Football Club — dubbed the “Bootleggers” in a nod to our area’s history with less-than-legal liquor production — was founded by Ted Hardy in the fall of 2013 as an independent men’s team. It was a first for Johnston County, and the club has since expanded rapidly to include 250 to 300 men and women, boys and girls, ages 6 to about 55. “Those numbers are extraordinary for anywhere in the U.S., let alone in a small area like Clayton,” Hardy said. “We’ve found people here have been real accepting of the sport.” In addition to Hardy, club members Simon Potter, Leo Sevilla, Jason Niemiller and Walter Webster, along with Hardy’s kids (and fellow rugby enthusiasts), 16-year-old Emma and 10-year-old Colin, visited the library to drop off their donation. While he was there, Niemiller took the time to apply for a library card. Hardy also thanked the library staff for working with the club and jumping at the opportunity to add some rugby books to the collection. “From the first question I asked about giving books, they were all in and on it,” he said. “We’re keeping our eyes out trying to find some more and, if we come across some, we’ll hand them off as well.” Hardy added that the club would like to see its relationship with the library continue to grow. “We’re all about working in the community and we love doing stuff like this, so this is a great relationship for us to have,” he said. “We’re already talking about setting up some reading events where we come in and read some books for kids.” MARCH 2017 | 23