Black and Blue, Mud Dogs split in high school rugby play

MISSOULA — The Black and Blue boys high school rugby team suffered its first league loss since 2013 on Saturday, falling to the Missoula Mud Dogs 26-15 at Dornblaser Stadium.

It was the first loss for the team since the state semifinals in 2015.

Missoula held a 12-7 lead at the half and pulled away late.

The Black and Blue scored first at the 20-minute mark when Daniel Long popped one in.

Missoula scored and converted and used a penalty try to lead by five at the half.

“We regrouped at halftime,” Black and Blue coach Robert Kiesel said. “The kids played really well.”

Connor DeReu scored at the 47-minute mark for Black and Blue, and with a missed conversion, trailed 12-10.

“We had some good momentum going,” Kiesel said.

Jacque Eve bulldozed his way through the whole Mud Dogs’ team for another Black and Blue score. Following a missed conversion, the Black and Blue were back on top 15-12.

“After that, sloppy play,” Kiesel said. “Penalty after penalty. we shot ourselves in the foot.”

Missoula went back on top 19-15 and added another score near the end.

“We had plenty of opportunities,” Kiesel said in the late going.

The Black and Blue girls, on the other hand, rolled to a 29-0 triumph over the Missoula Vixens.

Clara Vandenbosch, Bridget Crowley, Hailey Allen (twice) and Payge Boyce all scored for the victors.

The Black and Blue boys and girls play the Bitterroot Warriors at Hot Springs under the lights, a make-up game, on Thursday.

On Saturday, they are in action at Frenchtown.