GRR: Rugby Illinois
Rowe-Clark completed an undefeated Illinois league season over Memorial Day Weekend, defeating first-year program Hinsdale 39-22 in the final.
Hinsdale Central High School went 5-2 in its inaugural league season. In the final, Rowe-Clark came out strong some early breakaways and took the lad. But Hinsdale worked its way back and with only ten minutes to go, were within a try.
Neuqua HS is now 3-0 in the Rugby Illinois Suburban league after defeating Notre Dame de La Salette 20-17 on Saturday.
It was a long day of rugby for La Salette, as they played two league games, beating the Fox Valley Chiefs 39-0. But for Neuqua, this was a big result.
Big changes are afoot in the Midwest leagues, as both Rugby Indiana and Rugby Illinois have made some adjustments.
The changes come about because of Notre Dame de La Salette. The small Catholic school in downstate Illinois has for years been a nationally-ranked program, and has traditionally played in the Rugby Indiana Super League.
The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy players have essentially come out of nowhere to form a team. Few have enjoyed much press, even in these pages, and that’s because they are young and learning.
The Illinois Tornados North won the Midwest Challenge Cup Boys Varsity bracket Sunday.