Brother Martin Rugby Advances to State Finals

The Brother Martin rugby team defeated St. Paul's yesterday in the state semifinals...

Brother Martin rugby moderator, Mr. Gary J. Giepert '80, detailed our rugby team's recent semifinal game versus St. Paul's:

"Brother Martin earned the right to defend its state title with a hard-fought victory over St. Paul's on Tuesday night in New Orleans.

Our Crusaders kicked the scoring off of a lineout. Scrumhalf Owen Gibson fed a crash ball to #8 Sam Graffeo who made a slip pass to Andre Cook, who scored under the posts.  Because of a mishap on the approach, Brother Martin's kicker allowed St Paul's to charge down the conversion attempt with Brother Martin 5-0.

St. Paul's came storming back, and when they got close to the Brother Martin line they began a series of pick and goes, which would work for them all night.  A St. Paul's forward powered over for the try and the conversion was good with St. Paul's 7-5.

St. Paul's led a conversion attempt that was no good at 30 minutes in, putting them in the lead by 12-5.

Shortly before the half, Brother Martin's senior flyhalf and man of the match, Tyler Anclade, drove through St. Paul's defenders for a try. The conversion no good. At halftime, St. Paul's led 12-10.

Brother Martin started the half well getting the ball deep into the St. Paul's half with a tactical kick.  Brother Martin ran a series of pick and go's and then fed Tyler Anclade who went over for the try.  He converted his own kick and Brother Martin re-captured the lead 17-12.

Brother Martin was able to keep the ball in the St. Paul's end and the backs worked the ball wide right. Senior loose forward, Andrew Lindstrom, scored in the corner.  After missing the chip shot penalty kick, Anclade curled the conversion in from the corner, putting Brother Martin up 24 -12.

St. Paul's was not done and once again used its muscles to score. The conversion no good, Brother Martin led 24 -17.

It was a frantic last ten mniutes as Andre Cook was sidelined with a yellow card for repeated infringements.  Brother Martin scored a short handed try and went ahead 29-17.  Showing its fighting spirit, St. Paul's scored with 45 seconds left to narrow the lead to 29-22.  St. Paul's won the restart and it seemed a tie was in the cards, however Brother Martin successfully poached a St. Paul's ball and frantically kicked the ball out of play to end the game.

The final score was Brother Martin 29 to St. Paul's 22.

Brother Martin will face the winner of the Jesuit vs. Bayou game in the State Final which will be held as curtain raiser to the NOLA Gold game on Saturday, April 23rd, at the Gold Mine.  The State Championship kickoff will be at 3:30 PM."

Congratulations to our Crusader rugby team for making it to the state finals - we look forward to cheering you on Saturday, April 23rd at 3 PM. Geaux, 'Sader rugby!

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