The Greenwich High School rugby team finished the High School Boys Rugby National Championships in sixth place, the same seed that they were when entering the tournament that took place at the Rugby Athletic Center in Charlotte, N.C.
In the final day of the three-day tournament, Big Red battled a talented St. Edward in a battle for fifth place overall. Although the Cardinals held the 15-7 lead at the break, it was St. Edward that came away with the try in the final minutes to come away with teh 17-15 victory.
Greenwich got the ball rolling in the first half when Soh Nakayama converted on the penalty kick to give GHS the 3-0 lead. The score got extended to 10-0 when Ian Pearson on the quick try and Nakayama hit the conversion.
Kevin Agudelo kept the good times rolling for Big Red, as his conversion gave Greenwich the 15-0 advantage.
However those were the last points Greenwich would net the rest of the way. Two tries in the second half sealed the victory for St. Edward, despite missing two penalty kicks in the half.
Despite the loss, Greenwich High had some valuable rucking from its forwards, especially Wyndsor Doyle. In addition, Fermin Moraiz had some stellar hits against St. Edward.
Overall in the tourney, Big Red finished 1-2 overall. They fell to Penn High School and blasted Notre Dame de La Salette. As a team, Greenwich had the highest point total in the single school division, finishing with 65 points scored. Jesuit had the second highest total with 56 points scored in the tourney.
This year’s national champion was Gonzaga High School, as they finished 3-0 and beat Jesuit in the championship game in thrilling fashion.
