Playoff Perseverance
HBS Rugby Club produces a strong showing in first Final Four appearance
By Glenn Parkinson (OH), Contributing writer in Sports
CANTON, MA – The HBS Rugby Club turned in a strong performance against the Boston Irish Wolfhounds Rugby Club Saturday, November 4th but came up short, losing by a score of 37-14 in the New England Rugby Football Union’s “Final Four” tournament.
Several factors weighed against the Harvard men: One unexpected disadvantage was a USA Rugby rule that permits only five non-American players on the roster—a restriction that cut deep into the highly international HBS side. Complicating matters further was an ill-timed keg party the night before the match, hosted by fly-half Mark “9-1-1” De Ambrosis (NF), which was (unfortunately) enthusiastically attended by the Harvard Rugby Club.
Though an intensely physical match, few serious injuries were recorded, save a shoulder dislocation that Mike “Utility Man” Fyall (ND) sustained while making a successful tackle on what might have been the last surviving Neanderthal, a somewhat serious cut to Craig “Keep the Party Goin’” Canton’s (NJ) forehead, and the usual scrapes and hard knocks that the lads have become used to during their challenging fall schedule.
The Wolfhounds came out strong in the first half, scoring 10 unanswered points and dominating the Harvard side in the early part of the half. HBS battled back however, maintaining play in the Wolfhounds end for the latter part of the half, but failing to score. On a penalty late in the first half it looked as though HBS would put their first points up, when Co-Captain “Sadistic” Stephane Heuze (OB) made it to within 1 meter of the try zone carrying three defenders on his back before being taken down.
The second half saw much more scoring, but alas not quite enough by Harvard. As usual, Heuze managed a try, and Liam “Clockwork” Patrick (NC) converted, to bring Harvard within a 10-7 margin. Unfortunately the ball bounced the way of the Wolfhounds a few too many times after that, giving them a 37-7 lead with seconds left in the match.
In a surprise move, on the final play of the game Rugby Club Co-President Jeff “Two-ton” Todd (Law School) threw a line out over the forwards directly to Heuze, who’s clever chip-kick took it up the field to the try zone, enabling Neil “Try and stop me” Campbell (ND) to score the final try of the match, which Liam Patrick converted to finalize the score at 37-14.
The meant HBS would play for 3rd place in the league the following Sunday, a remarkable improvement over prior years results in the competitive NERFU league play. The lads will take a well deserved break before resuming training in advance of the London Business School tournament in February. Congratulations on a fantastic fall season!
The Harvard Business School RFC wishes to thank team sponsors Anglo Irish Bank, APAX Partners, Tommy Doyle's, Sierra Nevada, Magners Original Irish Cider, and Lehman Brothers for their generosity and continued support.
By Glenn Parkinson (OH), Contributing writer in Sports
CANTON, MA – The HBS Rugby Club turned in a strong performance against the Boston Irish Wolfhounds Rugby Club Saturday, November 4th but came up short, losing by a score of 37-14 in the New England Rugby Football Union’s “Final Four” tournament.
Several factors weighed against the Harvard men: One unexpected disadvantage was a USA Rugby rule that permits only five non-American players on the roster—a restriction that cut deep into the highly international HBS side. Complicating matters further was an ill-timed keg party the night before the match, hosted by fly-half Mark “9-1-1” De Ambrosis (NF), which was (unfortunately) enthusiastically attended by the Harvard Rugby Club.
Though an intensely physical match, few serious injuries were recorded, save a shoulder dislocation that Mike “Utility Man” Fyall (ND) sustained while making a successful tackle on what might have been the last surviving Neanderthal, a somewhat serious cut to Craig “Keep the Party Goin’” Canton’s (NJ) forehead, and the usual scrapes and hard knocks that the lads have become used to during their challenging fall schedule.
The Wolfhounds came out strong in the first half, scoring 10 unanswered points and dominating the Harvard side in the early part of the half. HBS battled back however, maintaining play in the Wolfhounds end for the latter part of the half, but failing to score. On a penalty late in the first half it looked as though HBS would put their first points up, when Co-Captain “Sadistic” Stephane Heuze (OB) made it to within 1 meter of the try zone carrying three defenders on his back before being taken down.
The second half saw much more scoring, but alas not quite enough by Harvard. As usual, Heuze managed a try, and Liam “Clockwork” Patrick (NC) converted, to bring Harvard within a 10-7 margin. Unfortunately the ball bounced the way of the Wolfhounds a few too many times after that, giving them a 37-7 lead with seconds left in the match.
In a surprise move, on the final play of the game Rugby Club Co-President Jeff “Two-ton” Todd (Law School) threw a line out over the forwards directly to Heuze, who’s clever chip-kick took it up the field to the try zone, enabling Neil “Try and stop me” Campbell (ND) to score the final try of the match, which Liam Patrick converted to finalize the score at 37-14.
The meant HBS would play for 3rd place in the league the following Sunday, a remarkable improvement over prior years results in the competitive NERFU league play. The lads will take a well deserved break before resuming training in advance of the London Business School tournament in February. Congratulations on a fantastic fall season!
The Harvard Business School RFC wishes to thank team sponsors Anglo Irish Bank, APAX Partners, Tommy Doyle's, Sierra Nevada, Magners Original Irish Cider, and Lehman Brothers for their generosity and continued support.
Craig Canton (NJ) plays on through blood, sweat and tears.
Carter Gaffney (NB) slows the Wolfhounds attacker, while Quan Nguyen (OF) prepares to clean him out.
Tony Frangie (OB) and Owen Stockdale (OI) solemnly discuss tactics during half-time.
John Doran (OB), Neil Campbell (ND) and Stephane Heuze (OB) contemplate strategy at half-time.
posted by Glenn @ 1:25 PM
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