Boston College High took the Massachusetts State Championships DI bracket Saturday with a 26-10 defeat of rivals Belmont High School.

The game began as a defensive battle and expanded as time went on. Both teams started off with their defenses making most of the noise. Both BC and BHS tried to work the phases and slowly problem for gaps. There weren’t many.

Belmont got on the board first when scrumhalf Darren Chan slotted a penalty from 15 meters out about 10 minutes into the match. BC worked to reply but Belmont’s defensive shape was good and it was a full ten minutes before they could get points. NC High No. 8 Terry Cullen picked from the base of a ruck and scored in the corner to make it 5-3. That was how the score remain until halftime.

In the second half, Boston College High had the wind at their backs and looked to use it. They continued to to put the ball into the Belmont end and exert pressure, but that plan initially backfired. Belmont wing Luke Gallagher fielded a clearance kick that missed touch, saw a few gaps in the BC High chase, and raced in for a try that, with the conversion, put Belmont High 10-5 ahead.

But BC High stuck with the plan, and kept up the pressure. With 15 minutes to go, the stanch Belmont defense  BCH would steadily build pressure. Twice they got over the line only to be held up. But as he has all season, Cullen provided the scoring touch, going over on an eightman pick on the ensuing scrum-five. Scrumhalf Billy Connors slotted the conversion to put the Eagles up 12-10. After the two teams exchanged clearance kicks, BC High fullback Patrick McDonough returned a kick 50 meyers and found his wing, Joe Souza, who finished the play and put the Eagles up 19-10. BCH had found their rhythm and kept moving the ball around the park, resulting in a final try as Cullen barreled over two Belmont backs with five minutes left to get his third try of the game and 18th try in seven league or playoff matches. That finished it, 26-10.

“It was a great match from both sides, as defense was clearly the centerpiece,” said BC High Coach Paul Carty. “Really this was a war of attrition and for us, flyhalf Aalok Patel put the ball into space as the match wore on and let our hard running backs make large gains. From there, our forwards have done what they’ve done all year: be patient, win the gain-line, and win the breakdown. The fact we held our composure even when trailing late in the match shows the fortitude and confidence our boys have in the brand of rugby we play.”

BC High completed their first perfect, undefeated season in the MYRO competition.