MIT beat a strong Springfield

MIT's fall campaign continued at home to Springfield. Having narrowly defeated Springfield in Spring's NERFU cup and in the 2010 Fall season, MIT knew they would have to be at their best to continue their 100% league record heading in to the Bye Weekend.
Despite the heavy midweek rain the field was in excellent condition and is a credit to the MIT ground staff. MIT having won the coin toss elected to play with the light breeze in the opening half.
Some early pressure from the pack allowed flyhalf John to open the scoring with a well struck penalty on the three minute mark. The lead was increased shortly after when MVP on the day, flanker Steve, made one of his frequent strong carries and grabbed the opening try.
Springfield burst into life immediately almost as though they were woken by the concession of the try. A team that has traditionally been known for their forward strength have added another string to their bow this season and showed fine handling and speed in the backline with their outside center picking up a fine individual score tweve minutes in.
The forwards battlled hard against one another in the middle period of the half with a fine contest at both scrum and lineout. It wasn't until the closing stages of the half that MIT added some more points, with lock Chris adding a try to an already impressive performance in his first start for the A side. Flyhalf John added the conversion and a further penalty to leave the home side up 20-7 at the break.

Springfield refused to go quietly into the night and came out fired up for the second period. Some fine close in carries by their pack and creative running by their centres and wingers had MIT defending for long periods of the second half. MIT were able to lift the siege 30 minutes in with winger Niall finishing an excellent score and the reliable boot of John adding the extra two.

The game was interrupted by an injury to Springfields number 11 with only three minutes remaining and MIT still one try short of the bonus point fourth try. The home side managed to keep their concentration during the stoppage and fly half John capped an impressive performance with a dying seconds bonus point try after some good work by the pack and a fine carry from winger Niall.

MIT take a break next weekend with their Bye Weekend but make the short trip across the Charles river to Harvard Business School on October 15th where all support will be greatly appreciated as we take on our neighbours

MVP: Steve