Teams: | MIT vs Boston RFC |
Played: | 05/04/2019 @ Weymouth, MA |
Score: | 10 - 17 MIT loss |
On May the 4th, 2019, MIT traveled to the Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth, MA to take on Boston RFC. The two teams were familiar with each other, having practiced together in the preseason. The familiarity did not affect the physicality of the match. The 2 teams faced off a year earlier, and a poor defensive effort from MIT led to an easy Boston win.
With a shorter travel distance , MIT brought better numbers than the previous week, leaving less of a headache for Captain Alex A. during selections. Alex A. was able to convert his selection anxiety into performance anxiety as he was eager to impress his visiting family.
Boston were well-structured and held possession for most of the first half. They attacked wide and kicked to put MIT under pressure. MIT were up for the challenge and gave it everything they had in defense. Kenniel was making 1 arm tackles while he held onto his precious contact lens. Michael chased down runners and blocked kicks all over the field. Cole, Connor, and one of the Pauls retrieved kicks, counter-attacked, and defended wide in the back 3. Martin made his return and had an acrobatic jump-kick on a kickoff. Scrum-half Tom was making low tackles on guys 3 times his size. John G. continually kicked MIT out of their territory. Boston took a 5-0 lead after an 8 man pick from the back of the scrum. The 8-man was met at the goal line by an MIT defender but he was able to reach his arm out and get the ball down. MIT made the score 5-3 after a John G. penalty kick. Boston’s flyhalf / inside centre took a quick tap inside MIT’s 22 and MIT failed to come up together. The score made it 12-3 at the half.
Boston scored again in the second half after MIT failed to account for their fly-half, who touched down for his second score of the game to make it 17-3. MIT nearly mounted a comeback after Boston subbed out most of their starters. MIT made about 40 meters by repeatedly tackling Boston ball carriers behind the goal line. MIT turned the ball over and winger Iggy nearly scored his first try, but veteran Frank showed him how it was done. MIT failed to score again and ran out of time.
Men of the match: Cole (backs) and Nick (forwards)
Next Match: MIT travel to Newport, RI on Saturday, May 11th and 12th for the NERFU Cup Tournament. Their first game is at 9:30 AM on Saturday