Battle Ground, Prairie rugby play to draw

Battle Ground and Prairie played to a 15-15 draw on Friday in a high school rugby match at Laurin Middle School.

The result left both teams with two wins, one loss and one tie in the Rugby Oregon Varsity Premiership, the division for teams that draw players from only one high school.

Prairie kept Battle Ground under pressure for much of the match, according to Battle Ground coach Daniel Simental. But the Bulls scored a try in the closing seconds and Quinten Martinez made the conversion kick from a difficult angle to tie the score.

Mikhail Esse and Blake Ruz scored tries for Battle Ground, and Martinez kicked a penalty in addition to his conversion. Scoring for Prairie was not reported.

Because of spring break in Oregon, all other teams were idle last week. Union, which leads the Varsity Premiership at 3-0, plays Reynolds at 1 p.m. Saturday at Delta Park. Battle Ground and Prairie are idle until April 12.

In the Rugby Oregon Club Championship, the division for teams with players from multiple high schools, two 3-0 teams clash at 11 a.m. on Saturday when Clark County Red takes on West Linn at Skyridge Middle School. Following that match, Clark County Black, the club’s second team, plays Polk County.

In girls rugby, Battle Ground returns to action at 10 a.m. Saturday at Delta Park against Grant of Portland.