Late tries lead Naperville to B Side title
By Phil Gautschy
It was round two for the Illinois Youth Rugby Association B Side Championship Sunday.
Naperville and New Trier originally faced off for the championship on Memorial Day, before lightning forced a suspension of play late in the first half. So, Sunday the two teams reassembled for a do over to settle the issue at the Chicago Blaze Fields in Lemont.
Naperville scored a try in the last minutes to earn an 18-17 comeback victory.
For the first ten minutes of the first half, the Warriors used their size advantage to move the ball deep into New Trier territory, but could not get the score. With the wind at their backs, New Trier used a couple of kicks to move the length of the field. A Naperville kick in the try zone was blocked and fell on by Nic Boury for a New Trier try.
The north suburban club looked like it would get a second try a couple of minutes later. Matthew Raskowski broke through the Naperville line and kicked it into the try zone. He appeared to be the first one to the ball, but was called for a knock-on.
About five minutes later, Chris Wagner scored a try for New Trier and the conversion was good for a 12-0 lead. Naperville took the ensuing possession and drove right down for a try to close the score to 12-5, where it stood at halftime.
Five minutes into the second half, Naperville took advantage of the wind to make a kick to cut the score to 12-8.
New Trier answered a minute later. Sam Coffey broke through the Naperville line to score a try. The conversion was missed, which left New Trier with a 17-8 lead.
Naperville had a plan to fight back.
“You have to use what is happening,” Naperville coach Elliot Hershik said. “When we had the wind we used it. We never gave up even when we got behind. Our big boys carried the day.”
Naperville scored two tries in the last six minutes. The game winner came on a blocked kick that provided the final points of the game.
“We had a bigger pack and fought for the ball,” Naperville scrum-half David Ediger said. “We did a lot of stuff in the rucks.”
New Trier left the pitch with its head unbowed.
“As far as I am concerned my guys did an outstanding job,” New Trier coach Malcolm Hurcombe said. “They were hopelessly overmatched in physical size. Hats off to Naperville, they won by a point. It was a good game of rugby.”
