Second half penalty kicks lead to MIT victory

Teams:MIT vs Old Gold RFC
Played:10/17/2015 @ Moakley Park, Boston, MA
Score: 18 - 17 MIT win

On Saturday, October 17, 2015, MIT traveled to Moakley Park in Boston, MA to take on Old Gold RFC. With the kickoff scheduled for 10:00 AM on a Saturday, the team considered launching a Les Bleus style uprising against their match secretary Brendan, but instead just showed up and played the game. MIT were determined to avenge their only loss of the season which came in their opening game at home against Old Gold.

MIT got off to a fast start. They controlled possession early on and worked the ball through multiple phases, with solid early runs from Alex and John G. They eventually worked the ball to the backs and outside center Aaron spun the ball wide to Hacksaw, who outpaced the Old Gold defense for the score just 3 minutes into the game. Star-kicker John G. kicked a tough corner conversion into the wind to make it 7-0.

As has been the case throughout the season, MIT failed to keep their focus for large stretches of the game. A series of penalties and handling errors by MIT allowed Old Gold to gain momentum and their outside center broke through the defense to tie the score at 7-7. Old Gold followed this up with another try from their backs out wide to make it 12-7. 8-man Cody had a strong performance, fresh off of returning from having earned 0 caps at the Rugby World Cup. Cody had several strong carries and vicious stiff-arms, and was rewarded for his hard work with MIT’s second try of the day to even the score at 12-12. Just before the half, an ex-MIT practice player scored on the wing for Old Gold to make it 17-12 at the half. MIT went into halftime frustrated, as both the potential player and the lead got away from them.

With the wind in their favor in the second half, MIT defended well and an Old Gold penalty led to 3 points for John G. to cut the score to 17-15. The rest of the second half was a back and forth affair with both teams threatening at times, but unable to point any points on the board due to handling errors and strong cover defense. With 10 minutes remaining, MIT were awarded another penalty and John G. kicked through the posts to put MIT up for good, 18-17.

Man of the Match: John G.

MIT is home at Briggs Field next Saturday, October 24, 2015 vs. the Framingham Exiles