Three From Jones Sees Christian Brothers Past Fairfield Prep
Three From Jones Sees Christian Brothers Past Fairfield Prep
Christian Brothers out of New Jersey edged Fairfield Prep 33-32 Friday evening in an exciting cross-border clash.
"It seems ridiculous to say in a high-scoring game, but defense won us the game," said Christian Brothers Head Coach Pat Moroney.
It was a good, physical game in which CBA was solid at the breakdown while Fairfield was powerful in contact. The lead changed hands four times in this match.
"Tough day for the Jesuits in New Jersey," said Fairfield Prep Head Coach Kevin Kerry. "A CBA team that is excellent at the breakdown and did a wonderful job taking advantage of Fairfield Prep mistakes."
Fairfield Prep got two tries from Harry Crawford and also tries from Alex Iadarola, Cole Westerlund, Henry Tymniak, and Anthony Dorsi. But they slotted just the one conversion.
"Our straightforward system focuses on taking the opposition's time and space away, and the lads executed it very well," said CBA's Moroney. "We knew they had a size advantage, with their pack significantly bigger than CBA's, so we planned to put as much pressure on them as possible from the breakdown out."
Kerry acknowledged that his Prep team has issued with their kicking game, and little miscues in general hurt them.
"An inability to connect on offense allowed a very aggressive and motivated team to take the win," said Kerry." Credit to an excellent inside center on CBA and some speedy wings who cut through our line."
The center would be Jordon Young, who was indeed excellent, disrupting a lot of what Fairfield did. He was named player of the game.
"Our team's resilience was genuinely inspiring," said Moroney. "We dug deep and found the resolve to come back and win, a testament to our strength and determination."
Junior scrumhalf Fionn Moroney scored all the first-half points for CBA with a try after 57 seconds from a counterattack. Junior fullback Tommy Heyward caught a clearance kick, and Moroney quickly called for the ball running left, sold a dummy, and accelerated into space and scored in the corner. Fairfield responded with three tries to take a 17-5 lead. With the first half about to end, CBA got back over the line. They worked their way into Fairfield's 22, and from a penalty tapped and sent Young down to the tryline. He was caught but Moroney picked up from the ruck and was over. He converted, also, and it was 17-12 at halftime.
Christian Brothers wing Van Jones was immense in the second half, scoring three tries. The first of those was on an interception just a few seconds into the second 40. He raced 60 meters to score. Then Moroney knocked the ball loose with a tackle and Jones swooped in to take the ball and race in from 40 meters.
Fairfield Prep responded but Jones scored the game-winner from long range again, sidestepping the defense and speeding out of his own 22 and jetting to the line. He was grappled at one point but was able to drive through that tackle to score on the right. Moroney nailed the conversion to put his side ahead 33-32. CBA then won a penalty with 30 seconds left, took the lineout, and then was able to kick the ball dead to seal the win.
"It's important to note that this victory resulted from a united team effort," said Coach Moroney. "Every player, from senior captain Keegan O'Conner to junior flyhalf Ronan O'Grady, played their part in this fifteen-man performance, fostering a strong camaraderie and belonging within our team. We have to recognize freshman Hooker Nico Briggs, who put in an incredible 70 minutes showing resolve in his second-ever varsity game.
