Gonzaga Takes Gonzaga Rugby Classic
Gonzaga Takes Gonzaga Rugby Classic
Gonzaga won the Gonzaga Rugby Classic (a tournament Gonzaga hosts) for the 9th straight time this weekend, finishing off the two-day tournament with a 21-3 defeat of Fort Hunt.
Twelve Boys HS teams (as well as JV and freshman teams) from all over the East converged on Virginia for the tournament, which featured two shortened games per day for each team.
In the final, Fort Hunt had Gonzaga on the back foot and in the red zone the first 12 minutes of the game. Gonzaga defense finally conceded a penalty kick and Fort Hunt was on the board first 3-0. Gonzaga kicked deep and after a series of pressures to the Fort Hunt backline the ball was jarred lose by Alex Billups, who then pounced on the ball for a try. Owen Sheehy converted the try to put the Eagles up 7-3.
In the second half Gonzaga made the most of its opportunities first after a driving lineout was stopped short Dan Kerns went for a try with a pick-and-go. Minutes later scrumhalf Jamie Keeler dribbled a loose ball in-goal and touched it down for the final score 21-3. Owen Sheehy made all his conversions and his kicking and game management kept the Eagles in control of the game after the first 12 minutes.
"Owen Sheehy had an amazing game," said Fort Hunt head coach Dale Roach. "This is a superbly-run tournament and really good competition for us."
One of the surprise teams in the tournament was Aspetuck. The Connecticut team, which had pushed Greenwich in a close one last week, showed very well, winning two games on Saturday before losing to Gonzaga 41-10 in the semis. Greenwich, who had lost 19-7 to Fort Hunt in the semis, beat Aspetuck on penalty kicks after the teams tied at full time.
Saturday pool play:
Gonzaga 46 St Xavier 0
Aspetuck 50 Myers Park 0
Fort Hunt 29 Clayton 7
Greenwich 29 Raleigh Redhawks 20
Good Counsel 14 St Xavier 7
West End 37 Myers Park 12
Union County 20 Clayton 7
Legion 41 Raleigh Redhawks 12
Gonzaga 40 Good Counsel 12
Aspetuck 47 West End 5
Fort Hunt 40 Union County 0
Greenwich 17 Legion 14
Sunday Playoffs:
9-12 Semis
Clayton 29 St Xavier 24
Raleigh Redhawks 48 Myers Park 0
5-8 Semis
Good Counsel 24 West End 19
Legion 39 Union County 14
Cup Semis
Gonzaga 41 Aspetuck 10
Fort Hunt 19 Greenwich 7
Consolation Finals
5th/6th Legion 17 Good Counsel 7
9th/10th Clayton 49 Raleigh Redhawks 19
7th/8th Union County 33 West End 29
Freshman Champions:
Xavier
JV Champions Legion
Varsity Championship
Gonzaga 21 Fort Hunt 3