The first full weekend of Florida Boys HS rugby is in the books with the Cape Pirates winning another close game to be the only team to go 2-0.

The Pirates played an early game against the Tampa Krewe last week. They won that one 15-0 and then won this week 10-7 over Jupiter.

It was a windy day - 35 mph by some counts, and in fact win would have an effect on other games in the state. The Pirates took an early lead when captain Brennan George was the guy with the ball as the forwards mauled over following a lineout. The Cape Pirates finished the first half down to 13 players due to two yellow cards close to each other. Still Jupiter couldn’t capitalize. They did, however, cap off a long period of pressure in the second half to take the lead 7-5. 

The Pirates replied with a try from center Austin Parrish. That made it 10-7, and then it was a case of Parrish, Charles Winn, and Brock Roper leading a defensive effort to keep the Sharks away from the tryline. 

It was a tough loss for Jupiter, which had opportunities to win and will likely be kicking themselves for not getting points when up 15 players to 13.

Orlando showed they are once again a team to be reckoned with as they defeated Tampa 43-10. It was a windy day in this game, too. Orlando wanted to spin the ball but instead opted to keep it tight and avoid the breeze playing havoc with long passes. It worked, and forwards scored six of the seven tries.

(Note: In Florida, once the game’s deficit reaches 25 points, the game can go into “development mode.” The score at that time is the recorded score, subs are declared open, and the game is finished with open subs.)

Orlando won this game despite having to shift some players around. No. 8 Ieuan Nation was moved to the backs because fullback Harry Allen couldn’t play. As a result, prop Anthony Coello was moved to No. 8, and had a stormer. 

Orlando is among the favorites to win Florida this year, and Naples remains one of the other favorites. The Bears beat the Mavericks 48-0. Daytona, tapped by Orlando Coach Chris Quigley as a team he’s concerned about, beat Riviera 20-5. New team St. Thomas Aquinas got off to a creditable start against a solid Miami team - the two teams tied 17-17.

Another new team is Key Biscayne. The HS program for the Rats was started after about seven years of youth rugby in the area. The neighborhood has a heavy Argentine and Uruguayan contingent, and those parents have been teaching their children the game. Now with the boys old enough for high school, they have started a high school team, bolstered by some kids from the French American School in Miami, and some other players who like their style of play.

Coached and run by Nicolas Seigal and Mariano Torres Garcia, the Rats edged Boca Raton 15-14 in an all-rodent showdown. Inside center Jack Moore, flyhalf Marcos Young, and Gonzalo Torres led the way for the Rats.

“It’s good to win, even by just one point,” said Seigal. “We have a good team but our numbers have been small. We now have a bench and I think that has helped.”

This week's scores:

Cape Pirates 10-7 Jupiter Sharks 

Orlando 43-10 Tampa Krewe

Boca Raton HS 14-15 Key Biscayne Rats

Mavericks 0-48 Naples Bears 

St. Thomas Aquinas 17-17 Miami

Daytona 20-5 Riviera Beach

Unofficial standings