Harvard Defeats M.I.T. Team, 8-3, In Rugby Clash

The Harvard rugby team toppled M.I.T., 5-3, at Tech Field Wednesday despite a lackluster performance.

The Crimson put its first three points on the board on a try by Ray Vickers, following an outside drive. Bill Wilson added a conversion to build a 5-0 lead.

Harvard kept M.I.T. pinned in its own territory for the remainder of the half, but lack of possession and the Engineers' greater hustle prevented another score.

M.I.T. followed up a penalty to the Crimson scrum in the second half to score its only points of the afternoon.

Ten minutes from the end, Harvard's Paul Buddenhagen scored on a breakaway try to raise the final tally to 8-3. The conversion attempt failed.

The game closed out of control, with violent outbreaks scattered among sloppy play. The Harvard club has slumped noticeably since its victory over Yale two weeks ago. It will have a chance to rebound this Saturday when it plays the Elis in Van Cortlandt Park.