The Harvard men's rugby team captured the Peter Covo Memorial Cup this weekend in its annual battle with McGill College from Montreal, Canada.

The Crimson riggers capitalized on a penalty kick with under a minute left to play to beat McGill, 9-7.

All of Harvard's scoring in the match came by way of the penalty kick, which is worth three points. Junior Chris Baker kicked the three scores to boost the Crimson to the victory.

"The game was a good result for the whole team," Baker said.

The game was a hard fought battle that featured excellent rugby from both sides.

Harvard jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half on Baker's first kick. Baker added his second score before the half to give Harvard a 6-0 lead going into the break.

McGill opened the second half with a renewed effort and scored a try--the rugby equivalent of a touchdown and worth five points--rather quickly into the half.

McGill then converted the two point attempt (awarded after a try) to take a 7-6 lead in the match.

From that point on, the teams, played even rugby, with neither team giving an inch.

But Harvard would bounce back.

With about thirty seconds remaining in the match, Harvard made a final run.

A foul was called and Baker converted the ensuing kick to give the Crimson the 9-7 victory and the Cup.

"We showed a lot of character in the game," freshman rigger Nick Simunovic said. "We were not rattled at all when McGill scored its try."

"McGill is a very good team," senior co-captain Jim Kryzanski said. "It is a big rivalry and a big win."

The annual battle with McGill celebrates the first intercollegiate sporting event in North America.