Harvard, which started collegiate rugby by playing the first match in the 1870s, added to its proud history yesterday by winning its third Ivy League title in six years at the 28th Annual Miller Reserve Cherry Blossom Rugby Tournament at the Reflecting Pool fields.
This was the first year the Ivy League tournament, which began in 1969, was played outside of New England. "In the shadow of the monument, it's amazing to play in," said Harvard co-captain Jim Kryzanski.
Of course, the scenery was probably the last thing on Harvard's mind when Brown's Tinry Dawson converted a penalty kick to cut Harvard's lead to 14-11 about one minute into the second half. Each half lasts 35 minutes.
Harvard responded about four minutes later when Brown was called for a penalty about 10 meters from the try line. After the Harvard players briefly argued among themselves, they eschewed a sure three-point kick and opted to go for a try. It worked as Matteo Pecchi bulled his way in from a set play, and Chris Gordon's conversion gave the Crimson a 21-11 lead.
"I felt we could get it from out there so we did," Pecchi said. "Plus we were out in front with a little of the game left. If it was late in the game, we would have tried the kick."
Harvard scored three of the next four tries -- including one off a blocked kick by Justin King shortly after he entered the game for an injured player -- for a 40-18 lead with about five minutes left. For the game, Gordon made 5-of-6 conversions and scored a try.
The Crimson earned the championship by scoring four second-half tries in its 40-23 victory over Brown. The victory automatically places Harvard in the semifinals of the 20-team collegiate tournament, which will be played today. Harvard will face Penn State, and Army will play Navy, both at 10:15 a.m. In the club semifinals, at 11:30 a.m., Washington Rugby Football Club will play Philadelphia-Whitemarsh, and Milwaukee will play Potomac Athletic Club.
By Mark Fitzhenry