Cambridge, MA
A cold and snowy day on Harvard University's campus set the scene of the NIRA Collegiate Rugby Championships this past Sunday, the 17th. All six teams in attendance battled for the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Division 3 Championships throughout the day. Two of the games resulted in victories within 6 points of each other, in which all 3 had shown quality displays of rugby all-around.
TIER I
In a close and defensive battle in the top tier, Harvard beat out an incredibly determined Army side, 13-7.
The Harvard defensive front had held Army on the try-line early on in the game, but the Black Knights side found a way to take the early lead, 7-0. To regain their foundational support, Harvard relied on the shoulders of their back-three in a kicking contest that was heavily affected by the wind. An advantageous scrum deep in Army territory gave Harvard an opportunity to strike back, in which they gained a crucial 5 point before halftime. Army lead 7-5 at the first whistle.
As the second half kicked off, Harvard seemed to take full control of the possession and positional battle, but were unable to show points for their efforts. After a persistent wave of crash balls, Harvard got through the tough Army defense, found themselves with a penalty deep into enemy territory and earned a kick between the posts. Harvard lead 8-7, with 15 minutes left. Playing the positional game, Harvard kept Army in their own half with their backs against the wall due to well-positioned kicks. Clearance kick after clearance kick, Harvard finally gained momentum with clean hands through both the forwards, ultimately earning a needed try via power of the pack. The final 8 minutes of the match were some of bruising play with Army giving their final efforts of the season. But due to a stalwart Harvard structure, they came away with the victory at the final whistle, 13-7.
Inside Center, Brogan Mior, earned herself MVP honors due to an effective and courageous performance.
TIER II
West Chester earns an impressive come from behind 15-14 victory versus Brown, down 14 points in the second half.
A strong and cohesive Brown side had taken daunting control of the match, early on. Consecutive penalties by West Chester lead their opponents to march down the field seamlessly at times. Key breaks in the WCU defense gave Brown multiple chances in offloading to supporting teammates for an early 7-0 lead. More breaks in the WCU defense had their fullback frustrated in conceited a high tackle try-line penalty, ultimately awarding Brown a penalty try, down 0-14.
The second half seemed to be a completely different story for both teams. After starting strong and structured, Brown gave away multiple penalties to their opponents. One of these crucial penalties occurred after a set-piece which gave way to West Chester taking advantage of the opportunity to score, now 5-14. Brown seemed to still have the game in their control, as WCU continued to shoot themselves in the feet with attacking penalties. From a cheeky WCU kick, the Brown defense showed a crack in their armor helping the Pennsylvania side eventually score after impressive phase play, 10-14 after an unconverted try. Soon after the second try, West Chester took their newly found momentum and acted upon it quickly with a well-timed counter-kick which found the wing for the third score, which proved to be the final of the match, 15-14. Brown gave West Chester 14 minutes of high pressured countering and attack, but it would be WCU to find their championship posture and hold off a last minute barrage.
Lauren Madalian, of West Chester University, earned herself the match's MVP honors for her defensive prowess and assisting two scores.
DIVISION III
Bowdoin faced off against University of New England, winning handily 27-5.
After an early 5 minute score, University of New England looked confident in their Division 3 match versus the Polar Bears of Bowdoin College. UNE had established themselves very early in the game, but the match would be defined by the stellar defensive front of Bowdoin. An all out team effort from Bowdoin handled New England in which the Maine side scored 27 unanswered points throughout the remainder of the game, while asserting their dominance at the set-pieces.
There were flashes of the potential of UNE, but were thwarted in vain due to untimely errors and unforced penalties. It would be the strength of Bowdoin to hold off the surges of the Nor-Easters for the last 75 minutes of the match, in a testament to their coaching staff and overall engrained culture to help the Polar Bears win the Division 3 crown.
Saifya Osei from Bowdoin College earned the accomplishment of the match's MVP honors, due to her diligence in the forward set-pieces, and thundering effort in open play.
