GONZAGA CLAIMS FIRST MAVERICK LEAGUE RUGBY TITLE
Five Eagles notch trys in 27-7 win over Hyde.
Published: 05/12/2008
The
gonzaga varsity rugby team picked up another title Saturday, winning the inaugural Metro
Area Varsity Rugby Conference (maverick) championship with a 27-7 victory over
Hyde Public Charter on Buchanan field. Hyde defeated Landon 70-10
and Gonzaga defeated Georgetown Prep 63-0 in the semifinals. Gonzaga scored first off a
penalty play with senior captain Jordan Maitland touching it down. Shortly after, Eagle sophomore Gabe Free scored on a front peel from a
lineout on the five meter line. Sophomore Matias Cima got the final score of the
first half for Gonzaga after a series of phases and then a quick ball through
the hands of the backs. Hyde threatened several times throughout
the half and seemed to be one pass away from scoring, but ended the half down
15-0. Gonzaga junior David Penberthy added a Gonzaga try in the beginning of the second half. Later, Hyde stepped up the level of intensity and gambled running out of
there own end when senior Zach Diffenderfer pounced on a loose ball in goal for a try making the score 27-0.
Hyde wasn’t done and continued to attack with a series passes that broke the
Eagle defense for a 60 meter try which closed out the scoring. The Eagles move on to a regional championship and a chance to advance to the
National Championships next Saturday in Newark, DE.
--Gonzaga rugby