Two late Tries Propel Columbia over Brown
Down 13-3 late in the contest, Columbia University rallied to defeat Brown late in the match. It was two 65-yard plus breakaway tries by Columbia at 68 minutes and 75 minutes that stole victory from visiting Brown University. In a real turn of fate, the last Columbia intercept for a try came shortly after Brown passed up 3 sure points five meters in front of the Columbia posts.
The 17-13 final in the opening match of the 3rd Ivy Rugby League season put Columbia temporarily in a four-way first place tie with little time to enjoy it, though, as Dartmouth is heading down the highway after defeating Cornell 97-3 in their first round action.
During the first twenty minutes both sides came out aggressively, with Brown setting the pace and keeping the ball just inside the Columbia half. At the 20th minute Columbia was called for a penalty which was converted by Blair Cameron ‘13. (3-0 Brown)
In the twenty third minute, Brown’s Lachlan Stewart ’13 was given a yellow card leaving the Bears down a man for 10 minutes. Columbia took no time putting the pressure on keeping the ball in the Brown half for the entire penalty period. Strong defense kept Brown on top at Columbia pounded inside the twenty-two until the Bears were again at full strength. However, penalties again plagued Brown enabling Columbia to tie with a kick in the 37th minute and the score was tied at half. (3-3 Tied)
Following inspiring comments from their coaches and captains, the Bears took the pitch with a roar, charging down the initial kick off deep into Columbia territory. In less than a minute the Bears converted a line out into a beautifully formed maul that proceeded to march, unabated, 35 meters into the try zone as Chaney Harrison ’12 put the ball down for the first try of the match. The conversion was missed by Cameron ’13 after the ball fell of the Tee on his approach, but the momentum was clearly with Brown as they took an 8-3 lead.
Realizing their strength in the mauls Brown kept the ball with the forwards. In the 48th minute, off another line out deep in Columbia territory the Bears mauled and rucked into the try zone again, with lock Lachlan Stewart ‘13 touching it down. Blair Cameron ‘13 missed the conversion. (13-3 Brown).
For the next 15 minutes Brown spent most of the time in the Columbia half of the field. Despite Brown turnovers deep in Columbia’s territory, including the missing of a penalty kick and knocking the ball on in the try zone it appeared that Brown had firm control of the match. But Columbia never gave up and patiently pressed on hoping for the unexpected. That moment came in the 68th minute.
After a Brown turnover Columbia had a scrum on their own 10 meter line. Despite strong pressure on their #9 by Matt Leonard’14, Columbia’s half back executed a perfect chip just behind the Bears backline and in front of the Bears charging fullback. Fielding the ball off a perfect timed bounce the Columbia wing Anogie Joseph-Erameh sidestepped the Brown fullback and sprinted 60 meters untouched to place it down between the posts. The game had immediately changed. After making the conversion kick by FH Alex Plana Columbia was back trailing only by 3 points. (13-10 Brown)
Despite the renewed spirits of the Columbia players, Brown was immediately back in Columbia territory with less than 10 minutes to play. Strong play by the forwards seemed to demoralize Columbia as the Brown offense pounded ahead owning the gain line.
But Columbia never gave up. After stopping a dangerous Brown line out on Columbia’s 5 meter when the Bear’s tried a back play to the far corner, Columbia seemed to have new life. Shortly thereafter, following a broken Brown play the Columbia #8 Bobby McMahon picked up a dropped ball on Columbia 10 meter line and ran a full 90 meters to touch it down again between the posts giving Columbia their first lead of the day with only eight minutes remaining to play. The Plana conversion gave Columbia a 17-13 cushion.
Brown was unable to bridge the gap.
Referee: Scott Riley
Scoring
20th min penalty – Blair Cameron, Brown 3-0
37th min penalty Alex Plana, Columbia 3-3
41st min try – Harrison, Brown 8-3
48th min try – Stewart, Brown 13-3
68th min try – Anogie Joseph-Erameh, Columbia (conv: Plana) 13-10
72nd min try – Bobby McMahon, Columbia (conv: Plana) 13-17