This past Thursday saw another exciting match up with Perry Street Prep (Pride Rugby) facing off against Georgetown Prep in Week 4 of the Metro Area Varsity Conference (MAVRC) season. The previous week saw Prep drop a 19- 3 loss to Gonzaga in the Jesuit Classic and Pride Rugby defeated NOVA 34-5.

Under clear skies and unusually warm temperatures in the mid 80’s, both teams came out trying to establish their pattern of play early. In the first half, it was clearly Georgetown Prep as they dominated possession through simple, tight forward play, methodical controlled rucking/mauling and inside crash balls in the backs. Both teams were physical in contact but in contrast to the Pride, Prep had more control in the contact points and rarely lost possession.

As the half wore on, the whistle blew repeatedly as referee Tom Lyons had work to do to keep Pride  onside, and legal in the rucks - all signs that Pride was frustrated with a lack of possession.

Prep most often chose to kick to touch and attempt to regroup from the ensuing lineout. The one time they chose to take an attempt at goal, the kick sailed wide into the eager hands of the Pride’s sophomore flyhalf, Jihad Khabir. Khabir weaved and raced his way 95 meters down the sideline until being pushed into touch, just feet from the goal line.

The lone score of the half began with a Pride lineout. Skipping the flyhalf, the ball went directly to inside center Adrian Ray. Ray quickly moved the ball to outside center Keenan Westry, who split the centers and broke a couple of tackles on his way to the try line. Conversion missed, half time score 5-0.

The second half continued the same as the first with the exception of the Pride defense. Trying to reverse the momentum, the Pride became more aggressive in their defensive pressure and began counter rucking to reverse possession. The tide started to turn as freshman Morris Ray scored his first of two tries on the day as he scampered through several defenders from 50 meters out. Morris is the younger brother of Adrian and also of alumnus Anthony Lewis, who captained the 2011 team. Not to be outdone, Adrian scored minutes later on a crashball.

The intensity of the game seemed to wane as the effects of the heat took their toll and water breaks increased in frequency. The lull was broken in the final 10 minutes when a Pride lineout went intentionally long to take advantage of slow cover at the back. Flanker Christian Adams raced 40 meters through his opposition for his 7^th try of the season. Minutes later a quick tap penalty once again sailed into the hands of Morris Ray who sprinted 40 meters as he evaded multiple defenders for the final try of the match.

Pride Rugby 29

Georgetown Prep 0