BC High Heads Massachusetts Semi Quartet
BC High Heads Massachusetts Semi Quartet
The Massachusetts Youth Rugby Boys state semifinals are set for Tuesday, May 19 with Boston College High taking on Xaverian and Belmont High hosting Hendricken.
Xaverian beat St. John's Prep May 14 for the right to play BC High, while Hendricken defeated Needham in the other quarterfinal. BC High (5-0) and Belmont (4-1), received byes.
That was all confirmed when BC High defeated Hendricken to finish 5-0. A loss could have resulted in a three-way tie at the top of the standings.
BC High flyhalf Aalok Patel has been effective in working with his forwards and backs, making smart decisions as to which play is in the best position to get some go-forward, although many times that was No. 8 Terry Cullen. Against Hendricken, BC High got tries from lock Bobby Luciano, and captain James Kraunelis to lead 12-5 at halftime.
In the second half, with scrumhalf Billy Connos box kicking sending Hendricken backward, and the BC High chase effective also, BC High controlled field position. Patel scored on a bit of a lucky bounce from one of those box kicks, and Cullen scored on a well-executed maul. Hendricken answered, but slotted a penalty and then Cullen and Patel set up center Chad McMahon for the final try and a 30-10 victory.
BC High is now 7-0 in all games, and are favored against Xaverian, a team BC High beat in 44-12 April 29. Belmont Shore played Hendricken way back on April 1, and beat them 29-5.