Champions Crowned in New York State
Champions Crowned in New York State
Xavier defeated Rye HS 21-17 in the Rugby New York D1 Boys HS final Sunday to win the state championship on the grounds of Siena College, but it wasn't easy..
It was a much closer result than expected and closer than three weeks ago when Xavier beat Rye 22-6.
Rye won their semifinal 18-0 over Canisus of Buffalo. Freshman outside center Archer Fenton danced around defenders to open the scoring in the first half and flyhalf Dan Dalton made Canisius pay for costly penalties by slotting over several kicks in the second half as well. Staunch Rye defense kept Canisius scoreless, a team that dominated Western NY the last two seasons. Canisius had enjoyed a solid season in the Upstate league, going undefeated there with a hard-nosed pack. Also in the semis Xavier beat Corning, who had lost only to Canisius and McQuaid during the season. They are a team on the rise but were hit by injuries late.
"Perhaps a game representing our season," said Xavier Head Coach Greg Norris. "One good half, one poor half. The game in the end was tighter than it should have been and Rye played very well."
Xavier got off to a fast start, running in three converted tries in the first 15 minutes. Rye flanker Yves Briginshaw hit an early penalty kick in answer and it was 21-3.
In the second half Rye punched in two tries with Fenton, sliding in to flyhalf, setting up the attack nicely.
Rye was finishing strong and were within four points. And Rye was threatening late; Xavier's defense held and the perennial champs had won again, 21-17.
@RugbyNY crowns their champs @XavierHS wins but @RyeRugbyNY comes close. This try gets Rye within 4 ... but no closer. pic.twitter.com/FZxGktkpnM
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) June 6, 2022
For Xavier lock Maseah Young and No. 8 Harry Montague led the forward effort and flyhalf Ciaran Murray continued his strong run of form.
"Credit to Rye who rallied well in the second half and disrupted our contact area to stop us getting smooth ball," said Norris.
In the D2 final, Pelham beat Dwight Academy 60-10. Pelham capped off an up-and-down year that started well but was hurt by injuries and being forced to rejigger its lineup every week. Dwight came through a good year under the guiding hand of Heidi Rubenstein, who has been a great servant to the game in the New York City area for a long time. Dwight's talented halfback combo needed more ball to test the Pelham defense.
Dwight beat Syracuse in the semis, and Pelham got by Grand Island.
