In an intriguing inter-state meeting Rye HS of New York tied Raptor Rugby of Tennessee 10-10.
It was a good challenge for the defending Tennessee state champs and one of the top teams in New York.
The match started well for the Raptors as they took an early lead through some nifty back play between sophomore Eli Baumann and junior Max Orefice. They linked up with Sam Jones who touched down in the corner.
Shortly after that, Raptor captain Nicholas Orefice injured and had to leave.
Rye responded well and put the Tennessee side under pressure and eventually Rye got a penalty at a kickable position. Flyhalf Dan Dalton slotted the goal and it was now 5-3. Before the end of the first half and with Raptor down a player due to a yellow card, Rye set up a solid platform off a scrum and the ball went out to Dalton who snaked through and converted the try to make it 10-5 Rye.
The match was back-and-forth through the second half with both teams having chances, but making early-season mistakes stymied many of those. Raptor decided to rely on their forwards to get consistent go-forward and strong running from props Brysten Appleton and Bailey Black took them down to the line, where hooker Reece Lee went over.
