PROVIDENCE, R.I.--This Harvard men's rugby club failed to reach the finals of the New England Rugby Invitational championships after falling to Brown, 23-17, in front of more than 200 spectators here at Veazie Field Saturday afternoon.

Later the same day, the Crimson shut out Boston University, 7-0. Based on their weekend performances, eight Harvard ruggers were selected to participate in a qualifying contest for the New England all-star team.

The Invitational featured 24 New England rugby teams divided into eight pools, with three teams in each pool. Harvard was placed in the same bracket as top-ranked Brown and B.U. Brown advanced to the championship round by knocking off B.U., 35-0, and defeated Boston College in the finals.

"We did very well against one of the top sides in New England," Harvard Coach Martyn Kingston said. "We had a good look at our reserves and look to do well against them next weekend."

Dashing

Next weekend, the Ivy League Championships take place in Providence, R.I., and Harvard and Brown are expected to face off for the third consecutive year. The Bruins have taken home the crown the past two seasons.

Saturday, the Crimson gave the Bruins-ranked in the top five in the East-all it could handle. If not for a few kicking problems, the ruggers could have come away with the win.

In the first minute of action, a Crimson kick was blocked and run in for the score. About five minutes later, following another blocked Crimson kick, a Brown player fell on the ball in the try zone for the score. Both trys were converted and the hosts led, 12-0.

Fullback Nathan Koenig tallied a penalty kick to bring Harvard within nine, 12-3. Less than a minute later, Cory Thabit nailed beautiful kick which took a wicked bounce past the Bruins. In the ensuing ruck, scrum-half Michael Gibbs faked to a teammate, and bulled his way into the end zone for the try, closing the margin to 12-9.

However, the Bruins scored the next 11 points to take a commanding 23-9 lead. Kris Thabit and John Diori each scored a try to rally the Crimson, but it was not quite enough as Brown held on for the win.

Harvard was never really in trouble in the B.U. contest, as the Terriers never mounted a serious threat. A try by Gibbs and a penalty kick by Koenig accounted for the Crimson scoring.