Holy Spirit Falcons struck early and often to beat the Gonzaga Vikings 29-5 and win the St. John’s Boys Tier 1 High School Rugby League championship this week at the Swilers Rugby Club complex in St. John’s.
Holy Spirit started quickly and ran off three tries in the first 15 minutes, holding a comfortable 17-0 lead at halftime.
It was sweet revenge for the Falcons, who lost to the Vikings in the league semifinal last year.
That loss snapped a six-year championship win streak for Holy Spirit. The Falcons have been dominant on the local high school circuit, winning the title 21 of the past 35 times for which it’s been contested.
Holy Spirit was led by captain Luke Davies, who ran a great game from the outside half position. Jacob Blundon had a pair of tries for the winners. Other tries came from Kyle Rice and Oliver Sheppard. Dakota Snow had a convert.
The Vikings had most of the ball possession early in the second half, with Jacob Asey scoring a try to narrow the lead to 17-5. As time faded, the Falcons took advantage of turnovers to seal the victory.
In semifinal play last week, Holy Spirit trimmed C.B.S. rival Queen Elizabeth Pioneers 56-0, and Gonzaga beat St. John’s rival Holy Heart Highlanders 20-7.
