Milton High Rugby Team Exemplifies Sport's Bond

After rugby games at Milton High School, it's common to see players in both color uniforms eating sandwiches together. This act of camaraderie is part of the bond rugby players all around the world have with one another.

"We're enemies on the field and friends off the field," said MHS rugby player Neiko Fortes.

While the team is friends with their opponents, the Milton players are also very close. A group of about 16 players meet up occasionally for team dinners; wings at Suffolk Grille are a popular meal.

Several Milton players, including Fortes, senior captain Kennedy and junior captain Tim O'Connor, also play for the Boston Rugby Club.

During April vacation, O'Connor and Kennedy joined the club on a trip to Bermuda where they won an international tournament. Just like playing local high schoolers, the Milton players noted the teams around the world shared the same connection.

Rugby became a Milton High School sport in 2011, when the School Committee welcomed rugby and crew to the spring sport offerings. Coach Joe Dolan and Milton resident Ned Corcoran founded the team, which has seen steady growth since its inaugural season.

Dolan recruited athletes from across the spectrum to join the team. The players have experience in various sports like football, track, soccer and wrestling, and their own reasons for joining the new team.

Kennedy, whose parents are Irish, grew up watching rugby. In the fall, he kicks and punts for the Wildcats' football team and enjoys the contact of his spring sport.

"It's a lot more physical than any other game you'll play," Kennedy said.

Fortes, said he enjoys that aspect as well. "I alway loved contact sports," said Fortes, adding he was never enthralled by football.

O'Connor, whose brother is a club rugby player in college, challenged him to take on the sport when he was a freshman at BC High. He took the challenge and embraced the game, even after he transferred to Milton High as a sophomore.

Besides a family connection, O'Connor, has a background in wresting, a skill set that's helped his rugby career.

"A wrestling takedown is the perfect rugby tackle," said O'Connor.

For the latest on the Milton High School rugby program, follow its Facebook page.