Virginia, Indiana, Florida, and Maryland are the top four Boys Varsity teams in the Challenge Cup RCT in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Virginia took the top seed after edging Ohio-North 22-19, and then demolishing New Jersey 51-0. Wing Dmontae Noble, who was MVP of the JV competition in each of the last two years, looks like an MVP candidate in Varsity this year as he was electric once more. With No. 8 Kelly Fernandi leading the way in the rucks and the breakdowns, Virginia had a good percentage of possession, and moved the ball well.

Everyone was very fluid in their passing and offloading,” said Rugby Virginia’s Dale Roach. “Ohio was very tough, but we continued to try to move the ball.”

The #2 seed was Indiana, which beat New Jersey 46-0 and edged Pennsylvania 19-15. Both Virginia and Indiana were 2-0, but Virginia’s points different was +54, while Indiana’s was +50. The #3 team was Florida, which beat Empire NY 24-10 and Illinois 10-5, for a 2-0 +19 record.

Maryland got the #4 seed after tying Illinois 12-12 and defeating Western NY 38-3.

“Illinois came out and punched us in the nose,” said Maryland Coach Daniel Soso. “We really struggled with their forwards, who played well. We were forced to grind it out, but once we did our backs were able to score.”

Captain and prop Dante Lopresti was hugely impressive in pulling the forwards back into the game, and Yapheth Norris was also outstanding for the Maryland team.

“It was a tough day,” said Soso, “but we’re in the top four.”

Spare a thought for Illinois, which tied one game and lost another by a try, and might feel that with a little bit of luck, could have been 2-0.

The Tornadoes play Ohio-North in the Plate Semis, as the Ohio team beat Empire 19-5 after that close loss to Virginia. Pennsylvania was also 1-1, losing a close one to Indiana and shutting out Western New York 24-0. Rugby Pa will play Empire, who went 0-2 but were closer than WNY and New Jersey.

Indiana was also 2-0 in Boys JV, joining Pennsylvania as the only undefeated JV teams. Indian was also 2-0 in Middle School and Girls.