MIT RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

On Saturday, May 7, 2016, MIT took on the Fairfield Yankees in the sweet sixteen round of the national DIII playoffs. There was a lot of excitement during the week leading up to the match. Both teams were visited at practice during the week by a former New Zealand All Black & Hawkes Bay player. Coach Sean was excited to have a fellow Kiwi at practice. Apparently Coach Brad was even more excited for the playoffs as his pants literally split open during Tuesday’s training.

On Saturday, April 30, 2016, MIT traveled to the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, MA to take on Old Gold RFC in the NERFU championship game. MIT and Old Gold split the fall series 1-1 with a combined scoring difference of only 7 points. So MIT knew they were in for a battle. The game turned into quite the spectacle, with multiple lead changes, a yellow card, long tries, crushing tackles, and late heroics.

On Saturday, April 23, 2016, MIT traveled to Stowe, Vermont to take on Mad River RFC in the NERFU semi-final playoff match. MIT controlled possession and territory in the first half but were a little too eager with the ball and squandered several scoring opportunities. A forward pass in the backs called back one possible try and some scrambling Mad River defense stopped Hacksaw from another possible try. MIT were able to score first on a penalty kick from 25 year old kicker John G. Just before half, Mick took down the ball in the line-out. Caleb carried the ball and Nick rucked over.

On April 9, 2016, MIT hosted Division II side Portland RFC at Briggs field. The teams agreed to play three 30 minute periods. MIT were eager to show that they could compete with the team from the higher division. Early on, MIT did just so. MIT kicked off the scoring with the same way they did the week before: a counter attack leading to a long run and score from winger Jonah.

On Saturday, April 2, 2016, MIT hosted Harvard Business School at Briggs Field on a rainy day for their opening game of the spring season. With the team’s jersey bag out sick with the flu, MIT took the field wearing a hodge-podge of jerseys, practice shirts, and anything else that looked maroon. Both teams showed signs of rust in the first 10 minutes and there were lots of dropped balls due to the rainy conditions.

On November, 14, 2015, MIT traveled to Springfield, MA on a chilly, windy day for their final match of the fall season. Early arrivals were treated to an intense flag football game at Van Horn Park. With the false perception that they still controlled their own playoff destiny, MIT were determined to put up as many points as possible in order to avoid a possible road playoff game. Unfortunately Springfield had other plans as they stole the opening kickoff and settled into MIT territory. MIT defended well and eventually kicked the ball out of their half.

On Saturday, November 7, 2015, MIT hosted New London RFC at Briggs Field in a game with playoff implications. The last time these 2 teams faced off in October, Coach Sean told the team that the game would be decided by scoring tries. The team responded by kicking 3 penalty kicks on the way to a 9-0 shutout of New London. Apparently Coach Sean’s prediction came a game early, as the 2 teams combined to score 12 tries in a game that could not have been more different from their first match.

On Saturday, October 31, 2015, MIT traveled to the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, MA to take on the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. The Wolfhounds were kind enough to invite MIT over before the game to watch the Rugby World Cup Final. The final ended up serving almost as a preview for the DIII match, with New Zealand (the Wolfhounds) taking an early lead, Australia* (MIT) fighting back to make it close, and then NZ scoring a big try to pull away in the end