Harvard put in a very controlled and powerful performance to win their big rivalry match in the Women's National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Friday night, and beat Dartmouth 31-7.
The game was moved to Friday night because of rough weather expected to hit the Boston area on Saturday.
Still, the rain and wind was there on Friday, as well.
The teams took a while to break through as the slick ball handling and tough defenses kept it 0-0 until midway through the first half.
Midway through the first half Evie Eyers put a well-executed 50-22 to set up an attacking Harvard lineout. From there Harvard surged to the line with Maya Hilger getting close. Finally No. 8 Gemma Ogoke scored on a pick-and-go. Then 10 minutes later Harvard got a penalty off a scrum, and after the ensuing lineout Ogoke finished off the pressure with her second to make it 10-0.
With halftime approaching, Courtney Taylor scored after a long period of pressure and Eyers added the conversion for a 17-0 lead.
There was still time in the first period and Dartmouth flanker Katja Crawford picked up at a ruck just inside her half and raced 52 meters on a weaving run. problem was, she needed about three more meters to score. Still, the Big Green swarmed in and they were able to work the forwards and hooker Vanessa Ortiz-Pallen was over.
Annie Henrich's conversion made it 17-7 and gave a ray of hope for Dartmouth.
In the second half, Harvard had the run of play. They had to deal with a couple of defensive stands, but overall had the field position. A long run from Sana'a Lunon got Harvard on the front foot again and an excellent stiff-arm allowed Jojo Mignone to cut through a gap to score.
Ava Ference swooped in to pick up a loose ball and feed Morgan Gibson for the final try and a 31-7 lead.
Dartmouth pressed late and almost scored as time expired, but Lunon raced back to save that and preserve the score at 31-7.
