On a rainy June Sunday Xavier HS defeated rivals Pelham HS to win the Rugby NY Boys DI title.

In the rain, Xavier played a very structured style of percentage rugby, and waiting for chances to attack wide. While Xavier looked to pressure Pelham in the mauls, Pelham defended those very well, forcing the Xavier backs to do more. 

Xavier flyhalf Kyle Strehle kicked well and and he read the game well. Xavier took a 28-0 halftime lead with tries from prop Daniel Waggoners, center Zachery Cilmi, and two from wing Michael Chiarovano. 

The rain hit hard at halftime and slowed the game down considerably. Lock Pete Reyes went over for Xavier, but as the wet weather forced some errors for the leaders, Pelham began to punish those errors. Pelham scored three tries - one off an interception by center Justin Johnson, one off a nice give-and-go started and finished by scrumhalf Luke Persanis, and, and another nice run from Johnson. Whit Johnson converted all three, but Xavier held on 35-21.

"It was a good final," said Xavier Head Coach Greg Norris. "A good game that features a Pelham that is continuously improving and a Xavier Team that has proved to be not just an entertaining expansive attacking team but also a formidable defensive line."