Belmont High Rugby in State Finals Saturday After Defeating BC High

In a physical state semi-finals match, Belmont High School Rugby Football Club won a decisive, victory over Boston College High School, 19-7, Tuesday night, May 21 in Danvers.

The club, under Head Coach Greg Bruce, will play for the Division 1 state championship vs. number one seed Bishop Hendricken High School Hawks of Warwick, Rhode Island on Saturday, May 25 at Fort Devens State Park.

A win Saturday will bring the club – which was formed in 2007 – its second state championship in two years, having won the Division 2 crown in 2011. 

The game will be a rematch as Belmont will seek to avenge its only loss of the season, a 13-5 defeat to the Hawks shortly after Belmont returned from their spring recess trip to Spain. 

Playing under less than ideal conditions on the St. John's Prep campus, the ruggers from Belmont went up 14-0 at halftime.

Belmont kept the ball deep in BC's territory using useful kicking from flyhalf Junior Toussaint and fullback Peter Berens. Their effective offense, coupled with strong performances from senior captain Jon Comeau and the forward pack allowed Belmont to put BC on the back foot, according to assistant coach Adam Zilcoski.

But perhaps the difference maker was outside center Alec Lockett. Playing in his final season Lockett was vicious in defense, brilliant in support and ran the ball with aplomb.

BC responded well in the second half and put pressure on Belmont. After numerous phases on defense, Belmont gave up a try in the corner.

With time winding down Belmont used impact subs to freshen the legs and keep the lead.

The icing on the cake, said Richards, was when a loose ball was gobbled up by Pat O'Connor who offloaded to Comeau. Fending off defenders with panache the skipper looped the ball nimbly to Jack Toland who scampered under the posts to seal the win, said Zilcoski, who like Bruce and assistant coach Jessie Borle are teachers at the High School.

The three coaches are joined by Derek Tommy, a parent and Belmont resident who hails from rugby-mad New Zealand, the home of the famed All-Blacks.

Belmont will face Bishop Hendricken for the Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization Division 1 State Championship this Saturday. The Rhode Island team was placed in the Massachusetts league since it is the only varsity team in the Ocean State.

Not only did Hendricken place the only loss on Belmont this year, they were recently ranked by Rugby Magazine as the 29th top High School team in the country.

Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Check BRFC out on the web and on Twitter at @BelmontHSRugby

Directions to Devens from Belmont:

• Get on Route 2 West to Exit 37B Jackson Road/Devens

• Follow Jackson Road to designated parking areas for Willard/Antietam Field.

For your GPS: The field address is 99 Buena Vista St., Devens, MA 01434