MIT win DIII NERFU championship

On April 25, 2015, MIT defeated Freedom RFC in Amesbury, MA for the NERFU Division III championship. Prior to the kickoff, MIT were forced to change jerseys as both teams arrived wearing white. This was not the only change MIT had to make before the start, as Galen was ruled out of the game with a case of old man’s back. After sorting out the “fashion don’t”, Freedom got off to a quick start. MIT turned the ball over in their own half and Freedom attacked the weak side. Their wing found a hole in the defense for the opening score just minutes into the game. MIT settled down and worked their way into Freedom’s territory with strong runs from Chris W. and Toro. A late hit from Freedom’s inside center led to a penalty for MIT in front of the posts. Star kicker John G. slotted it through to make the score 5-3.

MIT’s pack was dominant in the scrum. They turned over the ball in Freedom’s scrum in Freedom’s territory. KatieNMarc spun the ball to the backs, who put it through the hands to Hacksaw. Hacksaw picked up where he left off last week and scored MIT’s first try to make it 8-5. MIT controlled possession for most of the first half thanks to the hard work of the forwards. Brendan, Natal and Mick led the organized defense with hard tackles around the breakdown. After another Freedom penalty from 15 meters out, MIT caught the Freedom defense sleeping and quickly spun the ball wide to Jake M. who touched down for the try. Aaron and James L. proved once again that a kick is only as good as its chase. Freedom’s fullback mishandled a kick and rookie Aaron was right there to pick it up. He passed to James L. who stiff-armed his defender and wiggled free from the defense for a 40 meter dash to the try zone. The score at halftime was 18-5 as MIT were able to shut down Freedom after their opening score.

The second half started off promising, with John G. kicking another penalty to make the score 21-5. Freedom fought back and were aided by a number of MIT penalties. Freedom’s wing-turned-fly-half scored his second try of the game from 5 meters out to make it 21-12. MIT cooled off the pressure and Freedom looked like they had stolen momentum for a period in the second half. Sub Frank provided a spark to the team with his usual aggressive runs and hard work at the breakdown. MIT finally pulled ahead when John L. sidestepped his man and offloaded to Hacksaw who scored in the corner in front of the MIT faithful. John G. failed to convert as he was too busy marveling at the last patch of snow in New England. Hacksaw was not done, as KatieNMarc, John G. and Jake all touched the ball before it found its way to Hacksaw, who scored his second hat-trick in as many weeks. Many thanks to all the fans, wives, girlfriends, babies, Gregs and 1-legged-Brads who traveled to support the team.

MIT travel to Newport, RI next Saturday and Sunday to defend their crown in the NERFU Cup tournament.