All Ivy Barbarians (AIB) vs. NERFU

Thanks to a last minute scramble, the All Ivy Barbarians took the field against a squad of NERFU selects on Thursday April 15th. The match was the first ever assembly of the All Ivy Barbarians and follows the increased cooperation of all eight Ivy League schools beginning with the formation of the Ivy League Rugby Conference in the fall of 2009.

NERFU had already been training and assembled for several weeks prior to the evening’s engagement. NERFU was well organized and using the evening as a final training session and a prep for the NRU cup next weekend. Mass Maritime proved to be an excellent venue, nicely floodlit with plenty of spectators in the stands. The NRU selectors were also bundled up in bleachers on a cold clear night. Kick-off ensued and AIB was able to build several rucking phases together before clearance kicks were returned with interest. Some quick hands out to NERFU's speedy backs and wings saw us down 12-0 at the half.

AIB rallied at half time and was able to build some stronger platforms and claw their way back into the game. Props Nick Finger, Yale and Charlie Boutwell, Harvard, were helped by Daniel Levine from Brown, as AIB dominated the scrums turning over several NERFU balls. Tim Shriver and Andrew Moir from Yale provided the engine. Some cheeky runs by half-back captain Jonny Miller from Harvard and some strong carries by Columbia pack leader and flanker Derek Lipscomb gave us the confidence to compete up front. Centers Ryan Vendersloot out of Yale and Paul Wallace from Columbia shored up the centers. Conner Russsomanno had a strong game at full-back.

The final score was NERFU 27-AIB 12.

The referee, players and coaches all enjoyed the occasion and it proved to be a worthy exercise. Going into this weekend at the NRU's AIB will know what to expect while shoring up the AIB first team.

All Ivy Barbarians vs. New England RFU Selects

Nick Finger - YALE
Daniel Levine - Brown
Charlie Boutwell - Harvard
Tim Shriver - Yale
Andrew Moir - Yale
Bobby McMahon - Columbia
Derek Lipscomb (pack lead)- Columbia
Phil Constantinou - Yale
Jonny Miller (c) - Harvard
Arturo Zindel - Yale
Zach Bull - Columbia
Ryan Vandersloot - Yale
Paul Wallace - Columbia
Matt Lacasee - Yale
Conner -Russsomanno Columbia
Nick - Yale

Head Coach - David Gonzales
Asst. Coach - Mike Stevenson