Harvard Rugby Football Club

Ivy League Playoffs at Princeton (Day 2)

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:40:04 +0000

After suffering a tough loss after a well-matched game against Dartmouth, the Harvard ruggers set their sights on Brown’s squad. In one of their last official games wearing the Harvard rugby jersey, our seniors started the game with a bang, continuing the leadership they’ve shown on the field all year. Harvard worked as a unit, weaving through Brown’s defense in a series of runs that culminated in an unconverted try by sophomore Winger Owen Fox. Despite Harvard’s success in maintaining momentum for a substantial time-period, Brown countered with three successive tries to put the score at Brown 15 – Harvard 5. Following this, Harvard rallied themselves and came together for a period to stop a series of formidable runs by our opponents on the wing. As the half came to a close, Brown managed to cross the try-line, but missed the conversion to put the score at Brown 20 – Harvard 5. As the second-half commenced, feisty scrums and dynamic open-field play led to the unfortunate injuries of key players junior captain Gabe Cunningham, junior vice captain Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and sophomore back Brendan Hanrahan. Harvard managed to stand their ground on defense, however, and waited out a long period of scorelessness on both sides before junior forward Alex Cunha swept through the defensive line and into the try-zione to chip away at Brown’s lead, Brown 20 – Harvard 10. Despite Harvard’s valiant attempts, Brown responded with strong play and defended against our efforts. Time expired to count for an unfortunate loss for Harvard, but the team looks forward to competing in the Boston Sevens tournament next weekend.

Ivy League Playoffs at Princeton

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:37:45 +0000

On Saturday April 6th, the Harvard Rugby Team took on Dartmouth in the Ivy League Semifinal Playoff at Princeton. Riding waves of passion and collective intensity in preparation for this important playoff game, junior forward Alex Kunha came out strong with a string of heavy hits that pushed the opposing offense close to their own twenty-two yard line. But Darmouth managed to locate a rare spot in Harvard’s cohesive defensive line to break into our half and score an unconverted try, taking the lead 5-0. Soon after, Dartmouth gained good position by a successful maul and scored another try, converting it this time with a kick to put the score at 12-0 Dartmouth over Harvard. Yet the Harvard ruggers emerged in full force on the strength of well-fought rucks. The team’s infectious intensity led to several dynamic runs and brought the Harvard team close to the try line. A seemingly otherworldly run by senior back Will “Bob” Peck turned into a truly spectacular try to put the score at Dartmouth 12 – Harvard 7, which sophomore back Brendan Hanrahan stepped up to kick for a conversion. Rookie sophomore forward Owen Fox helped the HRFC maintain momentum with some long runs on the wing, blasting through defenders. Our forwards dominated in rucks, trudging to each and unleashing the force necessary to keep possession. Yet a momentary breakdown in weak-side defense led to a Dartmouth try, putting the score at Darmouth 19 – Harvard 7. As time expires, Dartmouth manages another unconverted try to put the final score at Dartmouth 25 – Harvard 7, ending the game in a loss for Harvard. The team looks forward to what should be a competitive match against Brown tomorrow.

HRFC vs. McGill

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:34:50 +0000

On Saturday, the Harvard Rugby Team faced off against the Canada’s McGill University in the 138^th anniversary of the first rugby match to be played on the North American continent. In this historic reunion, Harvard shot out to an early lead, rucking aggressively and successfully punching through holes in opponent’s well-matched defensive line. A series of quality line-outs and strong runs from Harvard’s backs kept the ball in the Crimson’s hands. Harvard scored first on junior Jaime Zobel’s kick, putting the score at 3-0, which McGill countered with a unconverted try to take the lead (5-3). Harvard’s valiant scrum and continued strength in rucks proved the team’s strength and endurance, but it was the team’s indelible chemistry that helped senior Nick Torres truck through McGill’s staunch try-line defense into the try-zone (8-5). Huge hits from senior Yohannes Constable and sophomore Tom Schadewald helped Harvard keep its momentum, in addition to drawing cheers of praise from the crowd. Schadewald widened Harvard’s lead with a try that was converted by Zobel’s kick (15-5), and sophomore Brendan Hanrahan added an unconverted try shortly thereafter (20-5). McGill followed with two unconverted tries (20-15), despite spirited runs and staggering dekes from sophomore Bruce Taylor on the wing. As the second half commenced, Harvard came out strong, with sophomore Kevin Hernandez blocking McGill’s kick attempt within their own 22 yard-line. Captain and junior Gabe Cunningham grabbed this loose ball and plowed his way into the try-zone, converting his try with a kick (27-15). McGill rallied, however, and managed to score two converted tries to take the lead 29-27. Another converted try for McGill put the score at 36-27, but the Harvard ruggers weren’t going down without a fight. While Torres managed to punch through McGill’s line for a converted try, McGill came out victorious with a final score of 36-34, McGill over Harvard. Despite this tough loss for Harvard, the squad looks forward to facing Dartmouth in the opening round of Ivy League Playoffs on Saturday April 14^th.

HRFC vs. Boston University

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:31:27 +0000

In its second and final game of the Boston Beanpot tournament, the Harvard Rugby Club faced Boston University’s squad. BU scored an early unconverted try after a rare gap in Harvard’s defensive line let a BU back through to the try-zone. Harvard quickly rebounded, however, following junior Jaime Zobel’s huge run through BU’s backfield. After a line-out went to BU, senior forward Nick Torres capitalized on a BU knock-on to give Harvard the momentum to trudge through BU’s defense. Torres bruised his way into the try-zone to score, which junior Jaime Zobel converted to give Harvard a 7-5 lead over BU. After the half, sloppy tackling allowed BU to score two quick tries, only one of which was converted to put BU in lead 17-7 over Harvard. BU’s kick was received by a strong run by junior forward Alex Cunha into BU’s half of the pitch, but a three-point kick and unconverted try followed for BU to put the final score at 25-7 over Harvard. Despite this disappointing loss, Harvard looks forward to correcting a few errors from this game in practice during the coming week. The team’s collective eye is set on the McGill Rugby Football Club, which Harvard will face at home on Cumnock Field next Saturday.

HRFC vs. Boston College

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:26:03 +0000

The Harvard Rugby Football Club travelled to Boston University’s Nickerson Field to compete in a Beanpot tournament. In the first of two games, Harvard got off to a strong start against Boston College, keeping possession and punching through gaps in the opponent’s defense. Dominance in the scrums kept the ball in the hands of junior fly half Gabe Cunningham, who led the charge into BC’s half. Strong runs by sophomore Brendan Hanrahan and junior Jaime Zobel set a quick pace that was held throughout much of the rest of the match. When BC finally manage to gain possession of the ball, a messy ruck turned into a Harvard try, as Cunningham picked up a loose ball and snuck a sharp kick across the pitch. Sophomore Owen Fox dashed past the BC’s back-peddling defense into the try-zone and jumped on the ball for Harvard’s first try. Though the try wasn’t converted, Harvard quickly regained possession, which was consistently maintained for the rest of the half. Harvard started the second half with a bang on the heels of another long run through BC’s baffled defense by Hanrahan, who off-loaded to fellow sophomore Tom Schadenwald for a quick try. Zobel’s conversion put Harvard up 12-0. With a comfortable lead, Harvard continued to dominate at a commendable speed that left our opponents on their heels. BC’s possessions were consistently interrupted by blistering hits by sophomore 8-man Alex Cunha and senior lock Nick Torres. In addition to helping halt BC’s offensive efforts, Cunha and Torres continuously smashed through their opponents, putting the HRFC in position to score again. With the ball inside BC’s 22 meter line, Zobel exploited a gap to score and converted his own try to give Harvard a 19-0 lead as the clock wound down and the match concluded.

Gusberg, James Benjamin

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:49:28 +0000

Ben started playing rugby last Spring. He broke his collar bone in the first game of his junior year and has been out for the season.

Bender, Sean Russell

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:47:02 +0000

Sean is starting his second year on the rugby team and is just beginning to develop his skills.

Panno, Cameron

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:43:57 +0000

After playing soccer throughout high school, Cameron quit to join the HRFC during his freshman year. He is currently the team’s equipment manager.

Cherkassky, Michael

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:42:20 +0000

Michael went to Edina High School. He began playing rugby his sophomore year at Harvard.

Jones, Hunter

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:40:31 +0000

Hunter Jones thinks himself an incredibly handsome Sophomore in Leverett House. He has played Winger on the B Side since his Freshman fall. He is also the team photographer.