The Okapi Wanderers defeated West Pines 16-6 to move to 2-1 in Florida’s Boys DI HS league in the only league game held this past weekend.

It was yet another solid result for the Wanderers in their first full season in varsity-level HS rugby. Okapi played a JV schedule last year as the program has concentrated on growing from the younger ages on up.

“When I was approached about coaching a high school team, I said I’d do it, but the parents had to help make a feeder system working with younger players,” said Coach Gavin McLeavy. “And they did it. Now we have an A and a B side at the high school level, U14s, 12s, 10s, and 8s. It’s the right way to build it.”

At the varsity level, McLeavy has been working hard on teaching basic skills, and not really worrying about the scoreline. The results, though, have been good, with a close win over the Cape Pirates, a close loss to a very strong Jupiter team, and then Friday’s win over West Pines, the team’s crosstown rivals in Weston, Fla.

“We are somewhat defensive-minded,” said McLeavy. “We’ve been working on playing as a good, cohesive team. I don’t think it does anyone any good to just rely on a couple of athletes and win 45-0. You don’t learn to play going about it that way. So the plan is to have everyone learn how to play rugby, and put in a team effort, and we won’t worry about the results.”

Still, for those of us who worry about the results, the results are pretty good. 

Okapi’s win was part of a pretty special week, as a team parent was able to have the Chilean national team practice at the Okapi facility. The video of the Condors pushing a scrum sled with Okapi kids weighing it down has gone a little viral. 

“We feel very good about where we are,” said McLeavy. “And it was exciting to have the USA v Chile game here. Our players were the ball boys and it was a great experience for them.”

On the field, Andres Villareal kicked two penalty goals, while center Hans Hernandez, a defensive-minded back who tackles well, surprised everyone with two tries against Weston for the 16-6 win.

Up front, Juan Dos Santos has been a force at lock, winning lineouts, winning rucks, leading the pack, and powering forward with ball in hand.

All of that is good news for a young team, but now they look ahead to a difficult Riviera Beach Maritime Academy squad on Saturday, and Tampa and Orlando also on the slate. But right now, they’ll take 2-1.