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Sports of the sport and making it a more viable varsity option at the collegiate level. The NCAA currently classifies women’s rugby as an “emerging sport”, and if it wants to become a “championship sport” at least twenty-eight varsity programs must become permanent fixtures in universities across the United States. Currently, Harvard appears to be the sixth. “This is bigger than just us,” MacVicar said of the transition. “There are a few varsity programs floating around out there but Harvard is one of the first really big schools to make a statement that we take women’s rugby seriously.” Coach Hamlin agreed: “Harvard making this announcement legitimizes women’s rugby. There are a couple of other varsity teams in the country, but Harvard is by far the biggest name. So what it does is it gives other teams a benchmark to say, ‘well look, Harvard did this, how did they do this? How did they become a varsity program and how do we become a varsity program?’ The goal of when we made this switch to varsity was to focus not only on how it affected us, but how it affected women’s rugby in the whole country. Talking to coaches all over the country, they say, ‘Harvard’s gone, and that’s going to open the floodgates for everybody’.” How Radcliffe Rugby will fare in its varsity debut season next year remains to be seen. Its opponents will remain largely the same, but its expectations will be set much higher. As for now, however, they seem to be tackling the challenge head-on. Meghan Brooks ’14 (meghanbrooks@college) commends Indy staff Whitney Lee and Angela Song for their efforts as HRRFC rookies, thanks the team for letting her hang around these past two weeks, and wishes them the best of luck in their transitional season.
Photo courtesy of Lynne Skilken
Aniebet Abasi '15 keeps abreast of a Princeton player for a successful try on Sept. 29. The Harvard Independent • 10.11.12
Helen Clark '15 and Chloe Bates '13 reach for the ball with the forward pack in support. Photo by Whitney Lee
Radcliffe rucks Columbia over
Radcliffe wins 52–12 | By MEGHAN BROOKS and ANGELA SONG In the tailgate area just beyond Cumnock Fields on Saturday, October 6th, it was a gorgeous day for rugby. Alumni from the men’s business school rugby team congregated around kegs in booty shorts and sailors’ caps in the unseasonable 75 degree sun. They were distracting. The real action was on the turf in front of them. At 3 p.m. fifteen Radcliffe ruggers lined up for kick-off against Columbia in sky blue, and within the first minute the Black and White gained control of the ball and wing Aniebiet Abasi ’15 had scored a try, gaining a quick five points over Columbia. This pace would define the game, with Radcliffe dominating offensively for the duration of the first half. Although Columbia had enough fight in them to keep things interesting after Abasi’s first try, Radcliffe’s momentum built confidently towards their try line, as clean scrums gave them dominance over possession and advances. Nice passes between the backs and gorgeous ball movement confused Columbia defenders as outside center Cayla Calderwood ’14 ran down the right side for the team’s second try, followed by another run by Abasi straight under the uprights. Fullback Xanni Brown ’14, back in the Black Pack after an injury, kicked the ball cleanly between the posts for the first conversion of the game, making the score 17–0. Then, just four minutes later hooker Lenica Morales-Valenzuela ’14 powered fast and hard down the pitch, diving over the try line to set the score at 22–0. With the points racking up against them, Columbia showed signs of discouragement. Brown caught a pass to the right and began sprinting the length of the field, handing the ball off to inside center Megan Verlage ’13 just before a tackle. Play was eventually stopped ten meters from the try line, and here Columbia reignited its fire and scrummed with singular ferocity. Their newfound intensity couldn’t stop Abasi as she scored her third try, however, and the game sat at 27–0. The emotional highlight of the first half was un-
doubtedly rookie Audrey Carson’s ’16 first try. The score shot up to 32–0, but the wild cheers from her teammates were Carson’s true reward. Veteran player Emily Yorke ’13 followed Carson’s try with one of her own a few minutes later, and as halftime came to a close, Radcliffe Rugby jogged off the field with a 37–0 lead over Columbia. The second half of the game began much as the first, but it soon became clear that Columbia was prepared to challenge Radcliffe’s confidence. Radcliffe met Columbia’s initial push with a strong defense, and was able to keep the ball on their offensive side for the first few minutes. With Radcliffe’s guard down, however, Columbia’s flyhalf grabbed the ball and charged down the pitch, frightening Radcliffe’s defense into a flurry of tackling action. After this jolt Radcliffe regained possession of the ball, allowing Abasi to score her fourth try, followed by another try by Brown for a score of 47–0. Columbia’s flyhalf would not be deterred, however, and eventually fought her way to the try line, earning her embattled team’s first five points. As Columbia set up its conversion (which it made), Radcliffe convened behind the goal posts for quick strategization. However, Columbia was flying on its momentum and its scrumhalf made a try ten minutes later to bring the score to 47–12. Needless to say, Coach Bryan Hamlin was not pleased with his defense, and his frustration stoked Radcliffe’s intensity on the field and on the sidelines. “Support!” the sidelined players screamed as Radcliffe’s offense pushed past Columbia’s stubborn defense, and Xanni Brown was finally able to break free and run the ball home for a final score of 52–12. Radcliffe Rugby’s win over Columbia puts the team at two wins and one loss in the Ivy Rugby Conference, a solid start to its transitional year. Meghan Brooks '14 (meghanbrooks@college) would like everyone to know that in the B-side game that followed, Angela Song '14 (angelasong@college) made a try. independent1969@gmail.com
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