By MIKE BADGER
The Jersey Shore’s first two high school Rugby teams represented the area well Sunday, each winning in convincing fashion on the road.
Jersey Cape Storm, made up of players from Cape May County and Ocean City, scored all three of its tries in the first half and blanked Downingtown 15-0 while St. Augustine Prep exploded for an eight-try performance, downing Bishop Shanahan 53-5.
Jersey Cape Storm got started early, with prop Dakota Abadie (Lower Cape May Regional) picking up a loose ball three meters out and barreling in for his first career try in the seventh minute of play.
The Storm maintained its 5-0 lead with impressive tackling by hooker Pat Hughes (LCMR), prop Kevin Loveless (Ocean City High School) and lock Tom Mohr (LCMR).
In the 24th minute, Storm winger Tim Dilling (OCHS) made an excellent tackle at the sideline and forced a loose ball, which flyhalf Mike Angelucci (OCHS) picked up and ran 60 meters for a try and the 10-0 lead.
Three minutes later, scrumhalf Angel Sotomayor (LCMR) gave a pass to Mohr, who drew a defender and offloaded to eight-man David Lawson (LCMR). Lawson broke a tackle and went 20 meters for a try under the posts to put the Storm up 15-0.
The second half saw the Storm make good penetration into Downingtown’s end on runs from fullback Eric Danze (LCMR) and winger Adam Prettyman (LCMR), but the squad was unable to put in another try.
The match ended on an impressive defensive stand, in which Downingtown spent several minutes within five meters of the try zone but were unable to crack the Storm defense.
The Storm coaching staff awarded Man-of-the-Match honors to Abadie (forwards) for his dynamic play and to Prettyman (backs) for his impressive play both on attack and in defense.
Meanwhile, just across town St. Augustine was putting huge defensive pressure on Bishop Shanahan in a match that saw eight different Prep players touch down for tries.
Scoring for St. Augustine were lock Alex Reid, flanker Dylan Bauer, Eight-man Bobby Dalton, scrumhalf Taylor Hurff, wing Ryan Leaf, inside center Ryan Hrapczynski, outside center Jake Ciancaglini and outside center Brian Cicali.
Fullback Nick Hurff added one penalty kick (3 points) and a conversion (2 points) while Cicali kicked a conversion and Leaf kicked three.
The St. Augustine coaches awarded Hrapczynski Man-of-the-Match honors on the merits of his aggressive play and key tackles, as well as dotting down his first try.
Both squads are off next weekend for the Easter holiday and resume play the following Sunday.
For more information visit capestormrugby.org.
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