BC High defeated Simsbury 40-5 in a Massachusetts-Connecticut cross-border meeting.
It remains a wet spring for the Northeast and Thursday night was no exception. Playing on a quick turnaround from the Northeast Jesuit Cup, BC High traveled down to Simsbury and notched a win despite playing without senior Flyhalf Gavin McNicholl.
Prop Mikey Smith opened up the scoring after a turnover deep in the Simbury half, converting a short yardage opportunity. A few moments later, scrumhalf Braxton Blind found space on the blind side of a maul and scampered down the sideline from the 22 to score in the corner.
BC High did well to clear it’s lines, but Simsbury would respond by playing possession through physical carries off scrumhalf and off the base of the ruck. Simsbury made hard yards in the wet weather but struggled to break anything long. Again, Mikey Smith scored from close yardage after a series of play from midfield with BC High backs moving the ball well despite the weather.
BC High had multiple chances to add to the lead in the wide channels, but a few passes were deemed forward by the slimmest of margins. BC High went into halftime up 19-0.
03.29.2024HS Boys
The second half saw Simsbury continue to possess deep in their own end, using the occasional chip kick. Growing impatient, BC gave up penalties at the breakdown and field possession. But the Eagles defense would hold firm, turning over Simsbury and putting the ball deep into the Simsbury 22. After a turnover, center Brennan Blind scored a try to put BC up comfortably 26-0.
BC High again would move the ball to midfield, where flanker Jack Renehan broke through the Simsbury line and ran the ball in from 40 meters. Simsbury would punish BC High penalties to get a late try, and BC High lock Alex Matheny punched one in late for the Eagles, to make it 40-5 final.
Senior Cian O’Callaghan did a commendable job filling in for flyhalf Gavin McNicholl, slotting five of his six conversion opportunities.
"I’m pleased that we continue to find ways to attack teams and find soft spots in the defense, as well as play smart in the territory game," said BC High Head Coach Paul Carty. "But we need to continue to work on discipline and decision making at the breakdown."
