Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Rugby Claims Big Victory Over St. Paul’s

Posted March 21, 2016 / Last updated March 22, 2016

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Flying Blue Jay: Junior Case Ellis dives across goal line to score a try.

Flying Blue Jay: Junior Case Ellis dives across goal line to score a try.

Neither two missing starters nor a sluggish start could stop the Blue Jay Rugby team from beating St. Paul’s, 19 -12, on the road Saturday, March 19. The misty, cold, and windy weather was a fitting backdrop for this tough battle between rivals.

Coming into the match, St. Paul’s was ranked 22nd nationally by the Goff Rugby Report, a website dedicated to covering high school and college rugby in America written by Alex Goff. (Goff is a noted rugby journalist and the first to create rankings for college and high school rugby programs.)

The Jays came out moving the ball down the pitch, but their sloppy ball handling and poor tackling would prove costly as St. Paul’s was able to grab a 7-0 lead early in the first half. Despite making a constant presence in Wolf territory, the Jays miscues cost them scoring opportunities.

Fueled by some strong, jarring tackles by Blue Jay defenders, the Jays began to shift the momentum in their favor. Late in the first half, the Jays took advantage of a St. Paul’s turnover. Junior Jacob Whitlow weaved through Wolf defenders to score a try. Senior Scott Derbes’s conversion kick tied the score at 7–7.

Jesuit continued to move the ball in the second half and scored again when junior Bryce Duffy pitched to junior Case Ellis, who broke through Wolf defenders and dove across the goal line. Another Derbes kick was good and the Jays held a 14-7 lead. St. Paul’s took advantage of Jesuit’s poor tackling to score a try of their own. The conversion kick was no good, but the 14-12 score was too close for comfort.

Jesuit closed out the scoring and the match with a bruising run by senior Will Waguespack. Waguespack took in a pitch deep in Wolf territory and plowed through defenders to score a try. The conversion was no good, but the Jays still walked away with a satisfying 19-12 victory.

The convincing win earned the Blue Jays coverage in the Goff Rugby Report.

Read More

Geoff Rugby Report – Jesuit New Orleans Wins Big One

Galleries

Rugby vs. St. Paul's, March 19, 2016

  • JHS v St P - 1
    Flying Blue Jay: Junior Case Ellis dives across goal line to score a try.
  • JHS v St P - 2
    Junior Ian Fogarty heads up field as senior Evan Slattery looks on.
  • JHS v St P - 3
    Blue Jay Swarm - Sophomore Gabe Massey (center) and a host of Blue Jays take down a St. Paul’s player.
  • JHS v St P - 4
    Junior Patrick Brou pitches the ball before being tackled.
  • JHS v St P - 5
    Seniors George LeBlanc and Scott Derbes head up the pitch.
  • JHS v St P - 6
    Take flight – sophomore Gabe Massey dives after a Wolf.
  • JHS v St P - 7
    Senior Evan Slattery working through the Wolf defense.
  • JHS v St P - 8
    Intensity! Senior Will Waguespack eyes up his opponents.
  • JHS v St P - 9
    Senior Josh West takes in a pitch from Will Waguespack before he’s tackled. Jr’s. Jacob Whitlow (L) and Case Ellis (R) look on.
  • JHS v St P - 12
    Senior Scott Derbes ready to tackle a Wolf runner.
  • JHS v St P - 13
    Sweet Victory – The Blue Jay Rugby team walks off the pitch.
  • JHS v St P - 14
    Junior Jack Gab looks for an opening.
  • JHS v St P -10
    Fearless – senior George LeBlanc heads into a pack of Wolves.
  • JHS v St P -11
    Junior Bryce Duffy (right) grabs a Wolf runner. Evan Slattery center comes to assist and junior Josh Casio (left) anticipates the play.
  • JHS v St P 15
    Senior Cole Retif looks to make a pitch.