Army Win NRU

Army out-muscled Harvard on Sunday to win the NRU final 36 - 20. The game, which was played in a mud bath, was a torrid affair as both teams had to rely on kicking the ball to gain field possession.

Harvard got off to a good start by scoring a converted try from a lineout drive in the opening 10 minutes. However, the Army juggernaut quickly got their game going and pounded away at the Harvard defense using runners off the flyhalf and midfield backs.

Andrew Locke again controlled play beautifully for Army and, by kicking to position, he kept Harvard inside their 22 for the majority of the first half.

Army capitalized on their territorial advantage by scoring 4 converted tries and a penalty. However, Harvard was to have the last say in the first half with a try by Michael Manco Johnson. The halftime score was 31-12 in Army's favor.

The second half was an unspectalar half of rugby as Harvard, with a slight breeze behind them, played a territorial game much like that played by Army in the first half.

Harvard would out-score Army in the second half but the damage had already been done. Army had to work hard for their 36-20 victory- harder than they've had to work all season.

Army thoroughly deserves the NRU Championship title. They are a pleasure to watch, and they play a wide expansive game that is good for college rugby. They are very fit and very well skilled, and they will go into the national playoffs as genuine contenders for the title. They are skillfully coached by Richard Pohildal and have again set the bench mark for rugby for teams in the Northeast.

Well done, Army.