By Antonio Monteiro
The Greenwich High School Varsity Boys’ rugby team opened its 2025 season by visiting its FCIAC rival, Staples High School and the Cardinals prevailed, 14-10, in a tight mathchup.
From the outset, the Cardinals maintained control of the ball and territory, keeping the Wreckers on the defensive and confined to their half. Only an unwavering physical effort prevented Greenwich from scoring on several occasions.
Their commitment was ultimately rewarded when Staples fly-half TT Bassler opened the scoring with a long-range penalty, giving his team a 3-0 lead. Greenwich’s lock Dylan Stanton subsequently crossed the try line through a well-executed lineout and driving maul, with Benja Gonzalez Lobo adding the conversion, resulting in a halftime score of 7-3 in favor of the Cardinals.
The second half mirrored the first, with Greenwich dominating possession and field position. However, Staples defended effectively, preventing Greenwich from further scoring. Halfway through the second half, the Cardinals eventually capitalized on their territorial advantage, scoring their second try through lock Henry Wahl, which was successfully converted by Benja Gonzalez Lobo, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 14-3.
The Wreckers finally converted some of their unwavering effort into a converted try, narrowing the final score to 14-10. Despite the Cardinals receiving three yellow cards during the game, Westport could not exploit their numerical advantage to add more points on the scoreboard.
There were several notable performances in the Cardinals team. Scrum-half Benja Gonzalez Lobo was instrumental in propelling his team forward, kicking well from the tee and out of the hand. Greenwich’s outside center, Floris Van De Rotte, stood out with an exceptional performance, crossing the game line regularly with the ball in hand and defending well. Flanker Ignacio Aldunate provided a solid foundation through his lineout prowess and ball-carrying abilities. The tight five, led by hooker and captain Max Shaw, showed good teamwork and cohesion from set pieces and in the loose, effectively countering Staple’s well-coordinated pack.
The Cardinal’s next game is in Brooklyn, N.Y., at traditional rival Xavier High School on March 29.
