Xavier HS defeated Fort Hunt 44-25 Sunday in a game between the GRR #6 single-school and the #4 HS Club.

Played at Mount St. Mary's University, the game was an early chance for both teams to measure themselves against high-level competition. Xavier was coming in having lost highly-touted flyhalf/scrumhalf Damian Morley to injury last week. With a couple of other injuries, Xavier was already testing its depth. The New York City-based school team is running two Varsity teams, with one called Varsity State, which will shoot for a state championships, and a Varsity Nationals, which will play a non-league schedule leading into the Boys HS National Championships.

With a couple of players back from Xavier's basketball team, Xavier did have some players to bolster their squad.

Xavier started on the front foot, and seemed in even better shape when Fort Hunt took a yellow card for an intentional knock-on. But it was Fort Hunt that got the momentum. An interception led to a try for the Warriors, and right after that they scored again.

"We were looking to take advantage and there was Fort Hunt scoring twice," said Xavier Head Coach Greg Norris.

Xavier started to move the ball a little better after that, and stretched the physical Fort Hunt defense. Xavier led 22-15 at halftime.

With Henri Ross Pelat controlling the pace of the game nicely, Xavier started to play a little more unified game, retained possession better, and scored four more tries in the second half.

"Playing with the wind in the second half was a bonus," said Norris. "We have an improved scrum, going up against a good pack, and our lineouts were good. And when we moved the ball from side to side we were able to get some support on the wings and score."

Wing Matt Geruso scored three tries on the day while center Gregory Steffens, No. 8 Will Laino, hooker Tom Allison, and and fullback Sean Hennessy also touched down. Ross Pelat converted three and added a penalty goal.