MIT A rally late on to defeat Springfield

MIT travelled to western Massachusetts last weekend for their fifth league outing of the season. Having lost out in the NERFU cup final and suffered narrow defeats in previous meetings, Springfield were sure to be up for this game.
So it proved in the opening forays that it was the home team that set the tempo. Strong running from the centres and outside backs was giving Springfield great field position while indiscipline at the breakdown from MIT was adding to the pressure. Those factors contributed to allow the home side open the scoring with a converted try. Buoyed by the early score and the vocal home support Springfield continued to dominate the first half. The Springfield full back was capitalizing on this advantage and making good yardage. This lead to the second try of the game as the home side increased their lead to fourteen points with their second try down the left wing.
MIT finally settled in the final ten minutes of the first half. The pack began to dominate the lineout with Cody making great inroads on his return from injury. Strong carrying from the front five began to yield field position. A driving maul from the lineout drew in the fringe defence and slick hands from the backline put John Casey away on the right wing to give MIT their first score. The half time whistle saw MIT trail 14-5.
Springfield enjoyed a purple patch in the opening exchanges of the second half when MIT were reduced to fourteen men for a yellow card offence. The home side capitalized and scored a try to increase their lead to fourteen points. From this point onward MIT took the game by the scruff of the neck and drove for victory.
A long range penalty into the wind from John G on 60 minutes got the score board ticking. Big hits and turnovers from Oggy and James in midfield increased the momentum. On 65 minutes, a quick tap penalty inside the MIT half was spread wide by Mick and John G to James who skinned his man on the outside to score under the posts from 60 yards out leaving MIT trailing 19-13 with 14 minutes remaining.
Substitutes Dave and Marc added energy to the contest with big hits and turnovers adding to MITs renewed belief. Strong carries and lineout work from the pack had the home side defending desperately and eventually the crucial score came with Cody reaching for the line to bring MIT to 18 points. John G added the conversion to put MIT ahead for the first time with only three minutes remaining.
Having dug their way out of a large hole MIT were determined not to let the lead slip in the final minutes and held out for victory with a strong defensive and scrummaging effort.
Next up is the visit of Mad River (Stowe) who have shown great form since being promoted to DIII this season and will provide a stiff test in Cambridge next Saturday.

Tries: John Casey, James, Cody
Conversions: John G (x1)
Penalties: John G (x1)
MVP: Cody