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Greenwich Getting Some Good News

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Greenwich Getting Some Good News

Maloney gets a pass off the back of the scrum. Photo Greenwich Rugby.

Greenwich is back.

Actually GHS never left, but the team has been navigating a difficult spring with a coaching change and coming out of COVID. With Joe Kelly gone as Head Coach because has a position on the school Board, Mike Fina has taken over. He has been in discussions with the School District about being able to go to HS Nationals, and word is that they have received some good news, which is good.

Rebounding from their first-ever loss to Staples, Greenwich has improved and this past weekend beat SImsbury 52-12.

“It’s been a a frustrating year at times and it’s been exciting at times,” said Fina. 

Fina talks about his assistant, Glen Fox, who is one of his closest friends, keeping things in perspective.

“We’ve got all these games, and it might not seem like a lot, but it’s a lot more than the guys got last year,” Fina said. “So we’re trying to keep a balance and some perspective. Like losing to Staples, it was bittersweet. You never want to lose, and you don’t want to lose a close one, but I also know [Staples Head Coach] Dave [Lyme] and all the work he’s done for the state and his town. So in a bigger picture I was proud for Connecticut.”

Fina called Lyme to congratulate him, as a friend, not a rival.

“He’s done a lot of things right,” said Fina. “That’s kind of the beauty of the rugby mentality—players can congratulate each other at the end of the match win or lose.”

Meanwhile, on the field Greenwich has some talent.

Flanker Julius Engelen flanker scored three tries against Simsbury and was just very effective. Captain and scrumhalf Dylan Maloney has led well and No. 8 Charlie Beney is a handful. All now have an eye toward Kansas City.

“None of the players on the team have ever been to nationals, which is a rarity for Greenwich,” said Fina. “But we won’t worry about that right now. We’ll worry about one thing at a time and focus on what’s in front of us.”

Right now that means a date with Xavier HS this coming weekend. Then we’ll see how far they’ve come.