In a monumental clash at Westwick Field in Lawrence, Kansas, Saint Martin’s Academy Kingfishers defeated the Saints of St. Thomas Aquinas 50-0 in the Kansas State Rugby Championship final, clinching their third consecutive state title.
While last year's final was rife with drama and came down to the wire, there was no controversy about this one. Senior captain Ethan Blakie led his tenacious squad, delivering bone-crushing tackles that set the tone, and the back three of Joseph Masny, JP Van De Ryt, and Will Van De Ryt delivered stellar performances. Will Ve De Ryt was awarded Man of the Match honors by the host University of Kansas Rugby Program.
By Vincent Prezzia
The Kingfishers struck early when flanker Luke Sapio powered over in the eighth minute; Will van der Ryt’s conversion made it 7-0. The game’s defining moment followed in the tenth minute. A long goalline stand, as Aquinas hammered at the tryline, ended when Will van der Ryt held the ball up in-goal. Aquinas still had a penalty but after they tapped, center Sam Egger’s crucial poach stole the ball for St. Martin's and they were able to clear their lines.
In the 26th minute, senior JP Gallo surged over for the second try on a pick-and-go, and prop Ben Walsh followed, scoring the third try off a crafty tips ball from No. 8 Finn Burch.
Will van der Ryt converted both for a 21-0 lead. Masny’s cunning defensive reads kept the Aquinas wings pinned. At the same time, senior lock Prosper Owen and sophomore flanker Vince Lima delivered thunderous tackles, joined by Burch, Gallo, and senior captain Blakie. Senior scrumhalf Robbie Ritson orchestrated the attack with pinpoint passes and relentless energy.
