Harbus

Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brandon Bentley The victorious HBS rugby team

The Harvard Business School rugby team traveled up to Stowe, VT on November 3, not for a booze-fueled retreat, but for the New England Men's Championship. The team would earn its social later that night in Tommy Doyle's, however, beating Saratoga Men's Rugby Club from Saratoga, NY and Mad River from Stowe in the semi-final and subsequent final to emerge victorious.

The team arrived to a pitch that was covered in frost and a temperature below freezing. The first match, against Saratoga, was a well-fought affair, with a very professional and competitive opponent, but in the end Harvard's athleticism and skill allowed it to overcome. The team was without Co-Captain Jeff "Man Mountain" Todd (HLS) for the day and his Herculean efforts at prop, but was determined to make its mark just the same. The team put in 3 tries in the first half, beginning with a score off solid forward play, as Neil Campbell (OD) took the ball into the tackle and dished to Jeff "That 70's Show" Miller (KSG) for a try. The next try was almost as beautiful as Brendan "Fan Favorite" Whitworth's (OJ) golden locks - HBS stole a scrum at its own 15-meter line, Miller raced through a gap and passed to Whit, who dished to Liam "Sweet Pea" Patrick (OC) - Liam beat a defender and passed back to Whitworth for the try. "Champagne rugby!" shouted ex-Cambridge University captain Chris "heart o' gold" Trimble (KSG). Patrick scored the third try, touching down on a pass from Miller. HBS went into the half up 19-0.

The second half showcased more of the same from HBS, as the forwards rucked hard over the ball and the backs used their speed to round the corners and shoot through gaps. Jeff Miller put another in the try zone, finishing off a long march down the field by HBS. Craig "Hi!" Canton (OJ) capitalized on more excellent forward play, grabbing the ball and carrying defenders in for the try. Patrick scored HBS' final try of the match, getting around his opponent off a penalty to touch down in the corner. Saratoga was able to put one in just before the match ended, but Harvard was through to the final, 38-7.

Al "Barnacle Bill" Rowe (OD), club Co-President, said of the semi-final, "the forward pack dominated the rucks, enabling 4-5 phases of play before feeding the ball to the backs. The opponents were sucked in, and unable to stop the fast paced action the backs threw at them"

Continued...

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