Gonzaga defeated local rivals Georgetown Prep Friday night, taking the game 48-15 in DC.
Gonzaga has just returned from a trip to Argentina where they played two very strong clubs. They lost 14-12 to Tucumán Rugby Club and three days later lost 38-22 to Jockey Club Salta, a game where they led before hitting a bit of a wall.
“They were the best teams we have played so far this year; fantastic backs with great ball skills and tough, big forwards,” said Gonzaga Head Coach Peter Baggetta.
So that trip set them up nicely for a performance against Georgetown Prep—recently back from a tour of the UK and coming off a well-taken win over Fairfield Prep. It was a good showing for the Eagles, but maybe not perfect.
“We lost some shape and structure to our play when we took out the majority of our starters in the second half.”
04.13.2024HS Boys
Overall, Baggetta was pleased with the performance of his front-line players, especially when it came to their defensive play and their continuity on attack.
“As always we worry about a tour hangover,” added Baggetta, but he didn’t see one.”
Steele Dombo continues to be a hard player to contain in the Gonzaga backline, and Ethan Heim also showed well. Andrew LaFrankie was excellent, as he usually is, at loose forward. LaFrankie’s forte is defense and he was backed up by Kimani Laumoli, who laid in a series of big tackles to keep Georgetown Prep in check.
Regular starting flyhalf Kieran Downs is working his way back from injury and so Matt Clifford was in the #10 jumper for this game and ran the attack smartly.
Senior prop Quinn Snyder and junior scrumhalf Tommy Brault scores tries for Georgetown Prep.
Next up for both teams is the Gonzaga Invitational Tournament in Virginia.
