Brother Martin Rugby Team Scores a “Try” on Friday

The Brother Martin rugby team put up a good effort in their recent game versus Jesuit...

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

"Jesuit scored two late tries to pull away and win 35-19 in a hotly contested game played under the lights on Friday night in New Orleans.

Jesuit opened the scoring at the four-minute mark with a great move set up by its fly-half who took in the Brother Martin defense and let the ball wide. The conversion was good, and before Brother Martin could catch its breath, Jesuit was up 7-0.

Then, Brother Martin came roaring back and earned a lineout at the Jesuit 35. Senior #8 Sam Graffeo took a crash ball off of the lineout and weaved his way through the Jesuit defense, only to be called for holding onto the ball in the tackle, then Jesuit released the pressure.

Brother Martin pressured Jesuit again and earned a penalty. Senior prop, Gage Usey took a quick tap and made good ground. Scrum-half, Owen Gibson, fed flyhalf, Tyler Anclade, who drove over the Jesuit defense for the try. Alex Selva made the conversion and the score was tied 7-7.

An error on the re-start gave Jesuit great field position as Brother Martin was offsides on a clearing kick. Jesuit used the penalty and found space wide again, scoring a try. The conversion was good with Brother Martin 7, Jesuit 14.

Late in the first half, Brother Martin committed the cardinal sin of failing to cover the A gap, and Jesuit's scrum-half immediately recognized the error and scored a 22-meter try. The conversion was good for a halftime score of Brother Martin 7, Jesuit 21.

Brother Martin came out ready to play in the second half and pressured the Jesuit line, but failed to identify a 3 on 1 on the outside as the Brother Martin runner ran into contact. However, Andre Cook made a slicing run 16 minutes in hooker. Brother Martin forwarded then began a series of pick and drives resulting in a try. Brother Martin's kicker had a nice strike from the corner, but the conversion was just wide for Jesuit 21 - Brother Martin 12.

Outside Center, Anton Brown, led a hard-charging run, which set up Brother Martin's next try. After gaining good meters, Brother Martin's forwards won a series of rucks. Once again, scrum-half Owen Gibson set fly-half Tyler Anclade loose for the try. This time, fullback Alex Selva's kick from the corner found its way through the uprights, setting the score as Brother Martin 19, Jesuit 21.

Just when it looked like Brother Martin might pull off the upset, our lack of reserves took its toll, setting in fatigue and leaving Jesuit's replacements to score two late tries.

The final score of this epic game was Brother Martin 19, Jesuit 35.

Both schools will next play Germantown from Memphis, who will be visiting New Orleans next week."

We are incredibly proud of our Crusader rugby players for their efforts, and we look forward to our upcoming games!