The Union County Mudturtles defeated Charlotte Catholic 17-5 to win the Tier II bracket a the Boys HS National Championships Saturday, capping off 3-0 weekend.
The Mudturtles were led by flyhalf “Chicken” Dabulas, who orchestrated a snappy win over Fishers in Friday’s semi, and then Saturday’s victory also.
Union got some impressive big plays from a variety of players, including No. 8 Khalil Burns, who scored on a 50-meter run against Fishers, and prop Nick Costa.
In the Tier II final, the game seemed to be going Charlotte Catholic’s way in the early going. Charlotte had a long breakaway for a potential try, only to have a Union defender race in to make the tackle and jar the ball loose at the last second.
Having dodged that bullet, Union scored a try to lead 5-0, and the game stayed that way for most of the match. Charlotte Catholic has other chances to score, missing a penalty attempt and then having a try called back for a forward pass.
It was a frustrating time for the local team, and after they came away with nothing, Union scored two well-taken team tries to lead 17-0, and hold on 17-5.
Notre Dame De La Salette defeated Fishers 40-19 in a physical display of team rugby to take 3rd.
Tier II Saturday results and final order of finish:
1. Union (17-5 over Charlotte Catholic
2. Charlotte Catholic
3. Notre Dame De La Salette (40-19 over Fishers)
4. Fishers
5. Sierra Foothills (43-14 over North Bay)
6. North Bay
7. Brother Rice (41-0 over Charlotte Tigers)
8. Charlotte Tigers
