Orlando is the Florida Youth Rugby boys HS champions after beating Weston 21-18 Saturday in Palm Beach.

The game was a very tight affair throughout, and a contrast of styles as Weston tried to get the ball out through the backs, using the playmaking ability of scrumhalf Alex Ruiz and Matthew Mairowitz, and some expressive running by fullback Ramiro Fernandez.

Orlando, meanwhile, worked it through the forwards first, and hopes to starve the Weston backline of possession. It was a close-run thing, but Orlando’s approach worked.

“We felt we had to have the ball in our hands and not in theirs,” said Orlando Head Coach Chris Quigley. “They are a first-rate team, the best backline in the state, and we saw at nationals last year what happened when a good forward pack keeps the ball. We wanted to frustrate them, and I think we did.”

In an effort to protect or recover the ball, Weston were penalized repeatedly in the rucks, and suffered two yellow cards in quick succession for diving over the ball. However, Weston’s defense prevented Orlando from scoring during the time they were shorthanded.

“I was very proud of the toughness and heart of the team in that moment,” said Weston Head Coach Corey Carter. 

Orlando scored early on a snappy run from fullback Justin Smith, who converted. And Orlando was able to solidify that lead thanks to dominance in the  scrum, and a very effective lineout-and-maul game.

Weston scored two tries, and Mairowitz kicked two penalties, while Orlando answered with a long series of forward pick-and-jams, culminating in prop Sam Voegele going over from short range.

But Weston held the lead well into the second half, leading 18-14. It was then that Voegele tapped quickly on a penalty against Weston, and the big prop sidestepped a defender and rambled 15 meters for the try. Smith slotted his third conversion to make it 21-18, and then Orlando held on.

“The game was what everyone said it would be,” said Carter. “A very competitive game against two very different teams. The defense on both sides was tough. I think we play that game 3 more times and probably split 2-2.”

With about 90 seconds left in the game, Orlando got a penalty, and just darted to run it, going through a series of forward surges, but working more to control the ball than gain any territory. It was Quigley’s favorite moment of the match.

“To see them have the composure and patience to close out the game like that was just great,” he said. “We won, but it was tough. Corey is a great coach and Weston is a bunch of classy players and classy kids. I wish they were going to nationals, because they’d do well.”

“Chris and the guys out-coached me,” added Carter. “They did everything they needed to do to keep the ball away from my backs and my boys weren't prepared to win possession against that kind of a forwards attack. Orlando was disciplined and methodical, nothing flashy. They just beat us. Every time we got the ball out to the backs we would gain good distance but we had some stupid penalties kill our momentum and we couldn't win a scrum to save our lives. Orlando is a well coached and tough team. They deserved to win.”

This caps off an impressive season for Weston, which went into the game ranked #8 by Goff Rugby Report and it looks like they did enough to keep that ranking.

“These guys worked their tails off to make a name for themselves and their club,” said Carter. “I will never have another team like these guys. I know many of them will go on to do great things at the next level and you'll be seeing their names on the score sheets.”

Orlando now looks ahead to the Boys HS NIT where they have quite possible just played their way into the top tier.