Regis Jesuit defended well their home grounds at Lou Kellogg Stadium Wednesday evening in girls Colorado high school action.

In the initial match of the season for both squads, Regis were on the good side of an eight-try performance. The Jesuit, many of whose players have been together through four years of high school rugby, looked the business as they put 32 first half points on the board against a valiant, but relatively inexperienced Chaparral defense.

Regis were in possession at the kickoff, and their powerful forward pack mauled patiently upfield in single-digits ground gains by the tight five, and longer blasts from the back row forwards and inside backs. From the loose five meters out of goal ball swung swiftly wide found outside center Amanda Lilly safely through Chaparral’s defensive wall to touchdown the unconverted try: Regis 5, Chaparral 0 at minute two.

A comprehensive Jesuit defense contained the probing, jagging runs of Chaparral flyhalf Julia Villani well, and were first to the breakdown in numbers to effect turnover ball. With possession, the hosts rumbled into Chaparral territory until wing Emma Scagnelli stepped neatly inside her opposite number, fended off a would-be stopper, and sprinted 30 meters into goal for the try, and the margin doubled at nine minutes.

Midway through the half Lilly picked up her brace as she threaded the needle of Chaparral’s back three defenders well to dot down and extended the lead to 15. Regis roared directly back and multiple-phase slippage and maulwork saw loosehead Megan Miller free to scurry across the paint for a 20-nil scoreline.

Regis brought action inside Chaparral’s 22 meter line, working short crabs diagonally and enabling their three-quarter line to set up. And it was ball out quick and standoff Laura Schwieterman who slipped through the defense for a Maddie Bienneman-converted goal and a 27-0 margin 23 minutes into it.

Regis No. 8 Jordan Stemper closed out scoring for the half as she took the quick-tap penalty five meters out from goal and rushed past the defense at the whistle: Regis 32, Chaparral 0.

The hosts got right back on the front foot after the re-start, turning ball over at their 10 meter line and working pods well, keeping progress forward as they spilled inside the Chaparral 22. But Chaparral countered well as their forwards began to apply pressure and their tackling and ability to produce possession from those breakdowns began to gel.

Then it was more of Regis’ patient art of the maul applied, and flanker Abby Gustafson touched down the pack try: 37-0 at 42 minutes. Gustafson dotted the second of her brace at 53 minutes, and it was well-converted by replacement Hannah Burgen for a final of 44-0.

Regis 44
Tries: Lilly (2), Scagnelli, Miller, Schwieterman, Stemper, Gustafson (2)
Con: Bienneman, Burgen

Chaparral: - 0

Referee: B. Gregg