Rugby Texas's Boys HS league started this weekend, although several teams will wait until next week.

Cy-Fair started off their official league campaign with a 45-7 defeat of Memorial.

Head Coach Kenneth Hepburn has a high percentage of players returning from last year, and in fact a core of players who have been with the program since its inception.

“They have matured and developed,” said Hepburn. “They are learning the game and guys are looking to play in college, so we’re playing better as a result.”

Players have learned a lot from Hepburn, but also from camps put on by Eagle Impact Rugby Academy and ATAVUS. Cy-Fair has a passel of strong runners and they challenged the Memorial defense, even as they had to play without captain and HS All American camp attendee Keoni Francis, who is injured but expected back later this season.

No. 8/center Sam Gabriel powered through defenses, and Lando Hardy was tough on defense at inside center.

“It’s a good start,” said Hepburn, “but there’s a lot of rugby to be played. 

St. Pius started off well, too, shutting out Lamar 10-0.

As for the non-league games, one of the more intriguing matchups involved the two divisional winners from 2015 - defending North regular season champion Westlake traveling to Alden Bridge to take on the South champion The Woodlands. In the end it was a very tight game of four 20-minute quarters, with Westlake emerging 26-25 winners.

"Westlake and the Woodlands have a five year standing tradition to open their seasons with a friendly match against each other," said Westlake Head Coach Jason Spodick.

Ryan Rees set up two of Westlake's four tries and was 3-3 on conversions.

Also in non-league preseason games, Rock Rugby lost to Jesuit of Dallas 32-12, but beat Kingwood 43-10. Katy beat Four Points 62-3, and Allen beat Alliance 42-40.