Around the nation in HS Rugby so far ...
Tri-State Area
Greenwich of Connecticut defeated Rye of New York 27-14. It was a tough, competitive game in which Rye wasn't helped by a red card (two yellow-card-worthy high tackles).
"This was our second Top-10 opponent in the span of six days," said Rye Head Coach Jim O'Hara. "We proved we can play with the best. But we’ll keep working and take some lessons from this."
Archer Fenton at scrumhalf was a standout for Rye.
From the Greenwich side of things, the team leaders did superbly to keep Greenwich focused and organized.
Segundo Mas, Benja Thompson, and Jake Pobjoy were outstanding in that regard for GHS, which is racking up some solid results. Certainly they are playing in a more unified way than last year.
Xavier HS of New York were edged by Virginia HS club Vienna. This was a pretty high-profile win for a Vienna side that has already beaten Raleigh Redhawks, Richmond, and Aspetuck, and lost a close one to Gonzaga.
This was as close as you could get, with Vienna running out to a 22-7 halftime lead and holding on in nailbiting fashion 29-28. This game had a 90-minute lightning delay and severe weather punctuated the game throughout.
That delay was with the score 22-21 Vienna. And it was Vienna that scored next to take a two-score 29-21 lead that was just enough—Xavier got a penalty try right at the end of the game.
This was a good result for Vienna especially considering they were missing some of their more celebrated starters, including Andrew Evan and David Kendig.
The Prairie
The Woodlands defeated the Kansas City Jr. Blues 32-10 in a clash of Texas and Missouri teams, #1 vs #20. Woodlands hooker Cody Clough capped off a maul for a try three minutes in, and Zane Smith ran in from 35 meters out to extend Woodlands' lead. Smith scored his second thanks to a kick-chase and Woodlands led 19-0.
That was it for Smith. He was moments later red-carded for a dangerous tackle, and Woodlands was down a player for the rest of the game. KC's Kade Williams kicked a penalty.
The early part of the second half was a stalemate, but past the midway point Junior Blues prop Jay Estes drove over for a try and Williams converted to make it 19-10.
Neel Menon added a penalty goal for Woodlands, and then added a try, a conversion, and a penalty to extend the Woodlands lead.
Cody Clough was very good for Woodlands.
Louisiana
Jesuit New Orleans welcomed another ranked opponent to their town, this time it was Lasalle College HS out of Pennsylvania. Jesuit won 29-15. Will Hand stepped in nicely at flyhalf after Andrew Newell was held out with an injury. Scrumhalf Matt Cashio scored two tries.
