CRÉAC’H GWEN, France

Portugal defeated the USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans 26-5 iat the Rugby Europe Men’s Under 18 European Championships.  After an even first half, Portugal scored three tries in the second half to seal the win.

As a result, the BHSAAs will not play for the trophy. Salty Thompson’s squad will play again on Tuesday, April 11, against the loser of the France-Spain match.

Portugal outside center José Costa slotted a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead during the first two minutes of the match. Three minutes later, Blake Richards-Smith, the starting lock,  sustained an injury and needed to be replaced.

The USA then had a sustained attack with Full back Eric Naposki-Abdalah proving difficult to handle. A Short time later, prop David Ainuu drove forward across the line from a lineout and appeared to have scored the first try. The match official thought otherwise, as the try was indicated to have been held up by the defense.

Another BHSAA attackin gopportuity was thwarted when a Naposki-Abdalah run ended with a knock on. Portugal cleared, but the kick drew another penalty and allowed Costa to slot another penalty kickto increase the lead to 6-0.

The BHSAAs were able to narrow the lead at the 26th minutes when Naposki-Abdalah was taken into touch at Portugal’s 22-meter line. The All-Americans then stole Portugal’s lineout and No. 8 Bailey Wilson, the captain, fended defenders was stopped just short of the line. After a penalty to the USA, they won their scrum and quick ball to wing Mateo Gadsden, had him grounding the ball for a try.  Only one point separated the teams, as the USA narrowed the score to 6-5.

Portugla came right back with a chip-and-chase, but a penalty inside midfield set up Costa’s third penalty kick and a 9-5 deficit at halftime.

The second half had Portugal scoring three tries to seal the win. Francisco Afra scored the first with a try in the corner. Quinn Perry from the USA then missed a penalty kick. Soon after Afra added his second try for a 21-5 lead.

The final try came from a Portugal maul in the 68th minute, but the player was not identified. The score did not change after that as Portugal emerged with a 26-5 win.

The loser of the France-Spain game will join the BHSAAs in the consolation Semifinals, with the match scheduled for Tuesday, April 11.

Boys High School All-Americans v. Portugal 1. Thomas Waghorne 2. Gabriel Mahuinga 3. David Ainuu 4. Blake Richards-Smith 5. Asa Carter 6. Matthew Meehan 7. Garrett Kay 8. Bailey Wilson (C) 9. Conor McManus 10. Justin Petersen 11. Mateo Gadsden 12. Quinn Perry 13. Jack Wendling 14. Ryan James 15. Eric Naposki-Abdalah 16. Jack Manzo 17. Xavier Doering 18. Maximillian Walding 19. Alexander Rayton 20. Christopher Noggle 21. Ethan McVeigh 22. Daniel Crowley 23. Michael Jennings 24. Jake Burns 25. Christian Newby 26. Kyle van Tonder

Portugal v. BHSAA 1. João Almeida 2. João Carneiro 3. David Costa 4. Martim Bello 5. Manuel Barros 6. Manuel Maia 7. Manuel Nunes 8. José Roque 9. Pedro Lucas 10. Vasco Morais 11. Francisco Afra 12. Diogo Cabral 13. José Costa 14. Tomás Marrana 15. Duarte Matos

Boys High School All-Americans – 5
Tries: Gadsden, Conversions: N/A

Portugal – 26
Tries: Afra (2), TBD, Conversions: J. Costa, Penalties: J. Costa (3)