Raptor Rugby Club defeated Father Ryan in a crosstown rivalry match Thursday night in Nashville, Tenn.

the game lived up to its billing with both sides going at it as hard as possible. Visits Father Ryan, ranked #31 among school teams by GRR, came into the match the more determined, aggressive, and disciplined side for the first twenty minutes. They scored an early try off a forced turnover and took a 5-0 lead.  The Raptor, ranked #42 by GRR among HS clubs,s regrouped as the first half was coming to a close with senior Mike McWilliams going over the line and Max Orefice booting the conversion for a 7-5 lead.   

The second half was more evenly-matched as the Raptors improved on defense and set the tone early with Orefice scoring a try to make it 12-5 lead. 

As the second half moved on, there was a significant temperature drop and slick conditions ensured the rest of the match which was a see-saw affair with not much between the sides. Father Ryan took advantage of a Raptor yellow card in the final minutes pinning the Raptors inside their five meter line, before some nifty ball handling spun the ball out to Raptor wing Jackson Meyer, who took it 70 meters for the decisive try.  

Both teams will have Spring Break to recover before getting back on the pitch the weekend of March 25.