By JOSEPH TERRY

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA — Scoreless at halftime, the Kalispell Black and Blue roared back to top the Missoula Mud Dogs 24-17 in a rugby match at the All-Maggot Rugby Pitch on Friday.

The Mud Dogs (3-1), who entered the match as the top-ranked team in the state, pulled out to a 12-0 halftime lead, playing most of the first half in the Kalispell zone.

Matt Gash-Gilder put the Black and Blue on the board 10 minutes into the second half, and with a conversion pulled Kalispell within five points.

Missoula immediately responded to extend the lead back to 17-7, before the Kalispell defense locked down the remainder of the match.

Gash-Gilder added another try to pull the Black and Blue back to a 17-12 deficit. Shortly after, a penalty in the Missoula zone gave the ball to Jacques Eve, who punched in another try and conversion to give Kalispell a 19-17 lead.

Tilor Mercier added a late try to add to the lead and wrest first place in the state back for the Black and Blue (3-0-1). Colten Boyle was named Man of the Match for his defensive play.

The only blemish on Kalispell’s record this season came in an away draw last week, when the Black and Blue tied North Idaho 12-12 in Post Falls.

The Black and Blue are off next week for Maggotfest. They will take on Helena on the road in their next contest before three home matches to close the regular season.