McGill Tops Harvard in Rugby Match, 13-12, Concludes Weekend Festivities With Pigroast

Saturday afternoon, McGill University students invaded Cambridge for a friendly game of rugby but left early Sunday evening carrying with them a memory of bitter bloodshed. Bringing with them female enthusiasts, cheerleaders, and even a handfull of bagpipers, they departed dear Harvard shocked, bewildered, but nonetheless, completely overwhelmed.

The question remains, "Will they ever come back?" Undoubtedly, they will--but maybe not to play rugby.

The game itself was bittersweet. Playing 45 minute halves for the first time in decades, Harvard scored first on a beautifully flawless run by Richie Sherman. The assist went to Mike Demattel and the point after to kicker Gary Bond.

Sweep

But the Crimson lead was short-lived. McGill scored four points on a patterned try and then added three more with a penalty kick. The half ended with McGill holding a slim, 7-6 lead.

The second half began as closely contested as the first. Hitting and hustling with spirited vigor, both teams traded possession of the ball as scoring attempts repeatedly failed.

Then midway through the period, referee Dave Woods blew his whistle on a McGill field goal attempt. After much deliberation, the Crimson was granted possession of the ball deep in McGill territory. With five minutes left in the game, a successful try gave them a 12-7 lead.

The Canadians, however, refused to be intimidated. With three minutes remaining, Harvard bobbled a kickoff and McGill scampered in for the score. Several last-ditch efforts by Sherman and Demattel could not alter the outcome with McGill edging the Crimson 13-12.

The bloodshed? On Sunday afternoon, friend and foe traveled to Sandyneck Beach on Cape Cod for the traditional pigroast, featuring, naturally, the slaughter and roasting of two lambs.