Submitted by Kathy Chisholm

The Needham High School varsity rugby team fought hard but came up short during their home game against Marshfield on Thursday, April 26. The match-up featured crushing tackles, straining scrums and relentless chases after zig-zagging ball carriers, but despite the game's intensity, Needham lost 0-36.  

The junior varsity team's final score against Marshfield was NHS 22-5, with tries (5 points each) scored by Evan Turner, Aiden O'Connor, Kevin Barros and John Cronin along with a conversion kick by Cronin (2 points each).

On Monday, April 30, the NHS varsity rugby team wasted little time setting the tone offensively against Xaverian, with Needham entering half time with a 12-5 lead.

Throughout the game, Needham relentlessly hammered away at Xaverian, ending with a final score of 26-5, Needham. Sophomore Auggie Coll, junior John Cronin, senior Cam Chisholm and senior Captain Graham Finley each scored tries. Coll kicked 3 conversion kicks.

The JV team's final score was NHS 5-17, with the only try scored by Aiden O'Connor.

Upcoming NHS rugby games include:

• Monday, May 7—Home vs. Arlington Catholic (Division 1A)
• Friday, May 11—Away vs. Bishop Hendricken (Division 1A)
• Thursday, May 17—Home vs. Belmont High School (Division 1)
• Monday, May 21—Home vs. Brookline (Division 1)
• Thursday, May 24—Away vs. Scituate (Division 1A)
• Tuesday, June 5—Away vs. Catholic Memorial (Division 1A)
• Saturday, June 9—Away at State Championships (Division 1, Division 1A, Division 2)