The NIU rugby club got an unfair match-up in its 21-7 loss at the University of Illinois last Saturday.

“They had their graduate team playing, which is a little unfair,” said club president Scott Schmidt.

“We are all in our early twenties and they were playing guys five or six years older than us.”

Schmidt, however, has reasons to feel confident about the upcoming campaign.

“We have 15 guys back from last season and we are coming off of a 6-1 record,” said Schmidt.

The club plays in the Chicago Area Rugby Football Union (CARFU), which includes club teams from other colleges as well as club teams that are just devoted to the sport.

NIU has its first CARFU league match-up of the season this Saturday when it takes on the West Side (Chicago) Condors in Maywood at 1 p.m.

The Huskies return home on Sept. 26 for a match with the University of Illinois-Chicago.

ugby is similar to football, yet has a scoring system that is a little different.

Five points are awarded for a run in and touch of the ball to the ground.

Two points are awarded for a standing free kick on the extra point.

Three points are awarded if the player successfully drop kicks the extra point attempt right after he initially scored.

Although many veterans have returned, Schmidt was quick to point out that the club is always looking for new players interested in giving rugby a try.

“We have an initial fee of $30,” he said.

“We play both an A game and a B game at every match so anyone who comes out and participates is guaranteed to play.”

The club has practice every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the rugby field north of the Stevenson Towers parking lot.

New players who cannot make the practice times and are still interested can call Scott at 748-4250.