On a beautiful morning in Alexandria, 30 Exile High School players made the trip to T.C Williams high school for a morning of rugby. The day began with the Exiles u17 falling 57 – 20 to a mixed Fort Hunt side. Fort Hunt fielded a team of u17’s along with 3 u17 All American players. Despite the score the young and undersized Exiles team played with flair and ingenuity scoring all 4 of there tries out-wide with good passing and speed.

The climax of the days action was the Exiles u19 against Gregory the Great high school from Pennsylvania. The atmosphere had been building for over an hour, and the players were warmed up and raring to go. The bag pipes and prematch prayer by the visitors and the “Yellow Birdy” war cry by the Exiles set the tone for what was to be an enthralling match. Gregory kicked off the game with a high and hanging kick, the Exiles, playing into the wind failed to collect it and gave possession away cheaply, Gregory swooped on the opportunity and scored within the first 30 seconds. Coach Jean-Louis Moures rushed onto the field to settle the player, “They are celebrating like this because they are scared of you” he told the team. The conversion was slotted from the touchline, the score was 7-0 Gregory. Following numerous ruck infringements and a lack of possession Gregory was awarded a penalty about 40 meters from goal, the kick was wide and short of the uprights. The ball was returned from the dead ball zone, then knocked on inside the 22. Luckily for the Exiles play was called back for a 22, a quick dropout was taken deep into the Gregory half. This play was especially important as it halted the visitors momentum and relieved the pressure on the Exile. Following brave defense the exiles managed to finally gain some possession. Young inside center Pierre Marcandella received the ball on a set play, and dazzled his way through numerous defenders to dot down for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed and Gregory’s lead was cut to 2 points. Shortly after with only a few minutes until the half a looping flick pass by Nathaniel Turak put Fullback Nicholas Bernhardt-Lanier into space, in his trademark fashion he powered his way to the line with immense pace and determination. The extras were added giving the exiles a 5 point buffer at the half.

Half Time was whistled and the Exiles went in feeling that they began to assert themselves against their opponents.

The second half started well for the Exiles who were now playing with the wind and the sun at their backs, with the kickoff bouncing out around the Gregory 22. Failing to properly exit their half, the visitors conceded a penalty within kicking range. Flyhalf Turak had busted his lip a few phases before, but slotted the penalty before having to leave the game to have his injury tended to, the score was now 15-7. Young Marcandella took the flyhalf role for the rest of the match. Only minutes later Lamine Camara in his first ever game of rugby scored off of an Aiden Perrenoud offload. The conversion was missed and the score was 20-7. Gregory fought back and were able to manage an unconverted score, knowing that the opposition were within touching distance, the Exiles reacted well with versatile center George Fournouraikis scoring off of a pick and go. The conversion was made and the game finished 27-12.