Rugby New York is hosting its girls high school state championship this weekend, and three Buffalo-area teams will look to unseat current titleholder Play Rugby Academy over two days in Utica.

The New York City-based academy team won the 2014 state championship in its inaugural year of 15s, and did so with a 48-29 overtime victory over then-reigning champ Kingston (Capital District). The Met NY division includes teams from New Jersey, but those sides – like Morris, Union, and South Jersey – compete toward the New Jersey state title, which is also occurring this weekend. Play Rugby Academy is the best of the New York City teams competing in this dual state league, going 7-1 and outscoring opponents 286-97. That loss (52-5) came at the hands of Morris, which is the heavy favorite for a repeat NJ trophy.

As the #1 seed, Play Rugby Academy will take on the #4 seed, Hamburg, in Saturday’s semifinals. Hamburg finished third in the Upstate division, and is making the trip to Utica because Adirondack (6-0, +213) turned down the Capital District's seed to states. Although Hamburg will look to improve upon its fourth place finish at the 2014 state championship, Play Rugby Academy – with standouts like Atlantis U16 captain Giovanna Ferguson-Lewis and vet Malery Billingy leading the way – are favored in the final four match.

On the other side of the bracket, championship debutante Orchard Park (#2) and former state champ City Honors (#3) will play for a berth to the final. Both are from Upstate, and if the teams’ May 17 league match – which essentially decided the division winner – is any indication of what to expect, then a good game awaits.

Three weeks ago, City Honors used its powerful runners and aggressive use of the offensive kicking game to take a 15-14 lead into halftime. But in the second half, the extreme heat and humidity took its toll on the physically bigger City Honors squad, and Orchard Park was able to advantage of a few moments of fatigue and disorganization to score. One such try occurred after a deep restart, when City Honors was in disarray after celebrating its own try.

Fast and athletic, Orchard Park scrumhalf Emily Speyer was at the center of the uptick in pace, and used every opportunity to put herself and teammates into space. In addition to her own score, Speyer made sure tries were scored across the field, sending a prop, lock, center and wing into the try zone. Emily Henrich, who is fresh off of a second-place finish at the CRC 7s with Doylestown, contributed eight points off of the tee for a 33-20 win.

Orchard Park emerged as the team to beat in the Buffalo area, but it will face some challenges that could play into City Honors’ favor. Orchard Park high school has its SATs and senior prom on Saturday, so the team’s roster will take a hit.

“I’m disappointed that we will be missing two of three captains and many upperclassman, but I’m excited for the opportunity that the underclassman will have to rise to the occasion,” Orchard Park coach Lisa Henrich indicated. “Among these are sophomore prop Hannah Riccardi and junior center Abby Bielicki, both of whom have been as tenacious on defense as they have been with ball in hand.”

That’s what it will come down to on Saturday: Orchard Park was the most prolific team on offense (scoring 205 points in six games), while City Honors played the stingiest defense. The latter allowed 53 points against all season, and much of that success rests on the speedy, sure fullback Graceanne Brown.

Despite the loss of some senior experience, the nod goes to Orchard Park, which has only grown in strength throughout the season. Should our final’s prediction come to fruition on Sunday, then a reunion of sorts will occur between the dueling coaches: Play Rugby Academy coach Ryszard Chadwick and Orchard Park coach Henrich comprised the head coach/manager duo for the first Atlantis U16 team, which debuted in Las Vegas last February.

Saturday, June 6 (Utica, NY)
10:30 a.m.Semifinals
Field #1: Orchard Park (2) v City Honors (3)
Field #2: Play Rugby Academy (1) v Hamburg (4)

Sunday, June 7
1:00 p.m. Final and 3rd Place