Harvard 1st XV defeat Penn 48-15

In order to have a crack at second place in the Ivy League Harvard needed to put up a decisive win in their first of back to back home games this weekend. Harvard began the match attacking into a gale force wind which slowed them out of the gate. Backs had difficulty putting a foot on the ball and knock ons plagued both sides for the first half. Harvard’s forward pack, on the other hand, was dominant winning both side’s scrums with authority.

Less then five minutes into the match Yohannes Constable set up Jaime Zobel for the try which would go unconverted. Penn was quick to respond off a Harvard penalty, after making the conversion they had an early 7-5 lead. An untimely knock by the crimson allowed Penn to score again taking a 12-5 lead. After giving up two penalties Connor Heard pounded the ball in from 5 meters out to tie the game for Harvard, and the flood gates opened. Teddy Barron`s hard running put the home side up 17-12 and David Renteln scored shortly thereafter. Penn made good on a penalty to bring the halftime total to 22-15 Harvard.

Second Half
In the second half Harvard`s backline continued to light it up with especially strong running from Cummins, Renteln and Peck. Fullback Max de la Cal took advantage of the strong wind and made several excellent kicks, and after receiving an ill pass from winger Yohannes Constable he added a try of his own. Jeff Overall notched a try on a hard strike off a Renteln line break and Jamie Zobel followed up with his second score of the game. De la Cal gave a behind the back circus offload to Yale Michaels who came in off the bench to score Harvard's last try.

Final Score 48-15.

Scoring

Harvard
Tries: Jaime Zobel (2), Connor Heard, Teddy Barron, David Renteln, Max de la Cal, Jeff Overall, Yale Michaels
Conv: Max de la Cal
Pens: Max de la Cal (2)

Penn

Tries: 2
Conv: 1
Pens: 1