Celtic Girls Impress at Buckeye Invitational Day One
Celtic Girls Impress at Buckeye Invitational Day One
The Buckeye Invitational all-star tournament in Ohio capped off Day One with Celtic girls looking very strong.
The games were played at Darree Fields in Dublin, Ohio with five girls games and one boys game were played:
Allegheny Rugby Union 26 Ohio Aviators 15 (Girls)
ARU was crisp on all fronts with a tough group of forwards and a backline that looked sharp. The Aviators played tough but the more polished Allegheny side came through.
Celtic 36 Indy Speed 7 (Girls)
Scrumhalf Rosa Treece was very good for Celtic and showed excellent leadership directing her team's attack.
Aviators 19 Celtic 12 (Boys)
Andy McLaughlin got the party started for the Aviators and they kept Celtic at bay partly thanks to Rugby Ohio’s “Rugger of the Week,” Justin Russell. Dynamic every time he touched the ball "Juice" just powered through the Celtic defense.
Celtic was led by Ryan Putka from National and State Champions St. Ignatius. At fullback he controlled the game with his foot and showed great pace on Celtic’s second try on a crash ball. Aviators prevailed because they were fundamentally sound and more cohesive as a group. However, there will be a rematch tomorrow and this game could go the other way.
Aviators 12 Illinois Tornadoes 10 (Girls)
The Aviators first try was scored by outside center Chloe Hughes. She showed her speed in a play laucnhed from a scrum. She was taken down, not held, and got back up to score. Flyhalf Keeley Fugaz converted. \That conversion was key. The Aviators built on their lead with a break from wing Kaila Carmody.
The Tornadoes came back with Josie O'Donnell burning the Aviators for a try. The fullback was a threat every time she touched the ball and scored again later on. But the Aviators held on.
Celtic 49 Allegheny Rugby Union 7 (Girls)
Celtic fullback Carrie Coyer-Westerberg scored three and was superb throughout. She just played at a different pace.
Indy Speed 26 Illinois Tornadoes 17 (Girls)
In an exciting, close game the teams started to sturggle in depth as the intensity of the day caught up with them. Some quick decision-making off the base of the scrum saw Indy Speed through.
Next up on Sunday:
Illinois Tornadoes vs Celtic Girls
Indy Speed vs Allegheny Rugby Union Girls
Aviators vs Celtic Boys
Aviators vs Celtic Girls
Illinois Tornadoes vs Allegheny Rugby Union Girls
Indy Speed vs Aviators
