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Rugby NY Finals - Xavier, Pelham, Keio

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Rugby NY Finals - Xavier, Pelham, Keio

Adam Smith photo.

Xavier HS defeated Fordham Prep 29-12 Sunday to win the Rugby NY Boys DI final.

Xavier got by Canisius 38-12 on Saturday to make the final. Seniors Jack Manzo and Nick Gonzalez each scored a pair of tries and junior Alex Jebaily slotted four conversions. On Sunday, Eoin Sansavero sliced through for tries at seven and 15 minutes. Jebaily converted the first one, added a penalty a few minutes later, and Xavier led 15-0. Fordham battled with some good work in the forwards and an effective 8-9 combination.

But in the second half, Xavier began to pull away. Prop Omar Mtarfi powered over and Emmett Esposito scored soon thereafter. Jebaily converted both. Xavier got a nice game from scrumhalf and captain Connor Buckley and he worked well with Sansavro at flyhalf. Fullback Esposito showed well as Xavier won their 5th straight state title.

Pelham took the DI Tier II final, beating Play Rugby USA 31-26. Scrumhalf Luke Persanis scored the winning try in the semis on Saturday, and in the Tier II final, controlled field position nicely with his box kicking. Pelham knew they had the measure of PRUSA in the pack, and so concentrated on defending against the speedy Play Rugby outside backs. It worked. The Pelham forwards dominated, the Persanis box kicks forced Play Rugby to run from deep in their end, and the Pelham outside defense was solid.

Keio/FASNY defeated Rye 10-5 to take the DII final.