from USA Rugby:
PITTSBURGH – Under the lights at Founders Field, reigning title winners Jesuit of Sacramento and Highland Rugby repeated as the National Guard Boys’ High School and Under-19 Champions, respectively, and the Girls’ Under-19 finalists were locked into place when Day 2 of play concluded at Founders Field on Saturday, May 16.
In the Boys’ High School division, it was a Sacramento showdown as Jesuit High School returned to the championship round to face rising club, Christian Brothers in a hard-fought match. Before the close of the first half, the perennial powerhouse Jesuit built a 14-0 lead; however, Christian Brother refused to back down after the break.
Although Christian Brothers could not quite get the ball to dot down in their favor, the team returned to the field to play a disciplined and patient second half, holding Jesuit to just one more try for a final score of 19-0.
Despite the end result, Christian Brothers Coach Sean Lyon could not be prouder of his team, which has made immense developmental strides in its mere five years of existence. Above all, Lyon links his team’s success to the quality of play among his team’s competition: “We were the underdogs and met our archrival in the final. In the Sacramento area, we have stiff competition week in and week out.”
Jesuit Coach John Shorey shares Lyon’s sentiments: “Sacramento is a rugby hot bed, and the teams in the area are constantly building and improving to stay ahead of one another,” said Coach John Shorey. “This team worked really hard, they played above their rate, and they have better rugby skills than years past.”
Jesuit flyhalf Brandon Kraft was named the tournament MVP for his leadership on the field – scoring tries and kicking for field position – as well as off the field, as a competitor respected by his teammates, coaches and opponents alike.
In the Boys’ Under-19 Championship, Larry Gelwix’s Highland Rugby team put forth a strong physical effort and steadily grew its lead to a final 32-0 end tally in their match against rival Utah outfit, United.
“United is a tremendous team, what a credit to Utah for having the two top rugby teams in the country,” said Gelwix, following his team’s second consecutive U-19 victory and 19th championship title win. “This team played the entire tournament with incredible heart and focused on all three games.”
In the day’s earlier Boys’ High School match-ups, New York’s Xavier High School shut out Gonzaga 24-0 to claim third place honors. After being knocked into the consolation bracket following a tough 33-5 loss against Christian Brothers, Penn High School picked up some momentum in day two, defeating Brownsburg RFC 19-12 to claim fifth place. St. Thomas High School (Texas) picked up its first win of the tournament to nab seventh place in a 29-22 finish versus Charlotte Catholic.
In the Under-19 Boys’ division, the Kansas City Jr. Blues (Mo.) captured third place with a 15-7 win over West Shore United (Pa.), while L.A. Cougars finished their 2009 Championship outing on a high note, defeating the No. 3 seeded Westerville Worms 24-12 to claim fifth place honors for the second consecutive year. In the battle for seventh place, it was Chapel Hill’s Highlanders Rugby out in front of Union County 11-7.
Meanwhile, following the first day of Girls’ Under-19 competition, the finals day pairings have shaped up in similar fashion to 2008. Defending champions Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee) will again meet Lakewood (Ohio) in an all-Midwest Championship final at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
DSHA started its day with a tough 10-8 win over a powerful Summit High School (Colo.) team, and muscled out a 17-5 win over Maryville (Tenn.) to advance to the final.
“I expect a tough match tomorrow against Lakewood; they’re a well-coached, fundamentally sound team that play an excellent game of rugby,” said Divine Savior Holy Angels Coach John Klein. “I know they will keep us on our back foot and we will do our best to counter that. We know how they play and they know how we play – it will be an all out battle tomorrow.”
Lakewood overcame a size mismatch against the aggressive Sacramento Amazons, eking out an 8-5 tally – just enough to emerge to the final against DSHA.
“Summit and Maryville gave DSHA two hard-hitting games today and they had to work to get to the finals,” said Lakewood coach Andre Bruwer. “They’re playing with a world of confidence, and with a lot of returning players, it will play as a strength. But, if any team can take DSHA, it will be Lakewood.”
In the remainder of the Girls’ Under-19 competition, West Caroll will take on Rutland in the 7th/8th place match when play resumes at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The 5th/6th place contenders include Summit and Fullerton, which each finished the day at 1-1. Finally, the 3rd/4th place match at 11:15 a.m. will showcase the Sacramento Amazons versus Maryville.
For more information on the USA Rugby National Guard Boys’ High School and Boys’ and Girls’ Under-19 Championships, visit www.usarugby.org/goto/Championships.
Boys’ High School
Championship: Jesuit of Sacramento 19, Christian Brothers 0
3rd/4th place: Xavier 24, Gonzaga 0
5th/6th place: Penn High School 19, Brownsburg RFC 12
7th/8th place: St. Thomas 29, Charlotte Catholic 22
Boys’ Under-19
Championship: Highland Rugby 32, Utah United 0
3rd/4th place: Kansas City Junior Blues 15, West Shore United 7
5th/6th place: L.A. Cougars 24, Westerville Worms 12
7th/8th place: Highlanders Rugby 11, Union County 7
Girls’ Under-19
Divine Savior Holy Angels 10, Summit High School 8
Maryville 22, West Carroll 5
Sacramento Amazons 46, Fullerton Youth Rugby 5
Lakewood 22, Rutland Rugby Club 0
Consolation Semifinals:
Summit High School 14, West Carroll 0
Fullerton Youth Rugby 29, Rutland Rugby 0
Semifinals:
Divine Savior Holy Angels 17, Maryville 5
Lakewood 8, Sacramento Amazons 5
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