GRR: Elsie Allen
Northern California's club regular season officially kicked off with the first Premier League game, but there was some other action of note, too.
Marin, by two first-half tries from No. 8 Tomasso Visentin and two second-half tries from wing Matt Reilly defeated Mother Lode 54-12 to open their league account.
Around the nation in HS Rugby so far ...
Tri-State AreaGreenwich of Connecticut defeated Rye of New York 27-14. It was a tough, competitive game in which Rye wasn't helped by a red card (two yellow-card-worthy high tackles).
The #19-ranked HS club Danville beat #12 school team Jesuit in Sacramento Saturday, with the Oaks taking down the Marauders 22-12.
While Jesuit battled in this game and worked hard to keep it close, Danville, behind a hard-nosed forward effort, looked the more impressive team and was certainly the (slightly) more game-hardened.
Division II in high school rugby can be a hit-or-miss proposition; some of those leagues are for new teams, or for teams that are struggling with numbers, but in Northern California it’s a serious competition, and some excellent teams are coming out of there.
Among them are the Elsie Allen Lobos, who remain unbeaten and are going to the Boys HS Rugby National Championships.
It's not often you get a #1 v a #2 HS game in February, but we have one this weekend.