Gonzaga High School played its first official game Wednesday, running into a more seasoned Georgetown Prep side and coming away with a 26-26 tie.

Georgetown Prep did well not to implode after giving up two early tries and getting an early yellow card for a high tackle. But thanks to two interception tries, one in each half, and some tenacious defense, Prep started to claw its way back in.

Gonzaga opened up the scoring with scrumhalf Jack Ries speeding out around the edge and in under the posts. Ries converted and Gonzaga was up 7-0. But moments later Gonzaga flyhalf Benji Kemp was taken off the field after he injured his leg after behind tackled as he kicked the ball to touch. It was a rough blow to Gonzaga, but they still managed to control field position well — assisted by Georgetown Prep's poor handling of the odd grubber kick.

Gonzaga scored again with Colm Tuite racing to the corner and it was 12-0.

Georgetown missed a penalty kick and when one of their own was yellow-carded for a high tackle, they seemed in real trouble. Gonzaga scored again, but an interception try edged Georgetown closer and it was 19-7 Gonzaga at the break.

In the second half Georgetown edged closer when fullback Brendan Beilke burst through. He was hauled down, but a penalty against Gonzaga kept up the pressure, the ball was tapped quickly and Patrick McHale was in at the corner. That made it 19-12, and then flyhalf Tommy McHale intercepted a pass to go in under the posts. Suddenly it was all tied up 19-19.

Gonzaga didn't collapse and after some good work from the forward fullback Emmett Cook dummied and slid brilliantly through a gap and in for a try. Ries converted nicely and it was 26-19.

But there was time for Georgetown. Gonzaga received a yellow card for a tackle infract (not wrapping or not releasing the tackled player) and as Georgetown pressed their advantage Beilke dummied his way past one defender and jinked his way past a few more for a brilliantly-taken try. Beilke converted that and it was all tied up 26-26.

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock. Beilke missed from 40 meters out. Gonzaga was well in Georgetown territory but couldn't keep the ball. In the end, perhaps a tie was the right result.

Gonzaga Head Coach Peter Baggetta said he was happy with the first half, but the second half exposed the fact his team has not played in well over a year.

"It was a tale of two halves," said Baggetta. "In the first half we played really well as we controlled the pace and tempo of the game. Second half—too many mental errors ... put ourselves under pressure. Having a very young team and basically 14 months of no rugby showed in the second half. Lots of learning to build on."