Having won the Western Open Championship, Belmont Shore Blue, locked up its berth to the USA Club Rugby 7s Championship in New York City August 11-12 and earned the Pacific South an additional seed. But as host of the Sun Splash 7s Men's Qualifier on July 14, Belmont still wanted to showcase their momentum and maybe lock in their second team, Belmont Shore Gold. Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) and Santa Monica Dolphins were both vying for a seed as well making the Sun Splash 7s an eventful run in the sun.
Belmont Shore Blue seeded first in their pool play defeating both OMBAC and Tempe. The second pool had a bit more vigor with Oceanside, Santa Monica, and Belmont Gold each with a win and a loss. Oceanside secured the top pool seed by a mere three-point differential. The top seeds, Oceanside and Belmont Shore Blue, then earned a bye and a breather in the first game of bracket play.
In bracket matches, OMBAC met Belmont Shore Gold and lost 24-14. Santa Monica defeated Tempe 26-14. Belmont Shore Gold then faced the top seed Oceanside winning a tight 14-12 match, moving them to the Sun Splash 7s Championship game. Santa Monica faced the top pool seed Belmont Shore Blue and lost 21-12. The win pitted Belmont Shore Blue against Belmont Shore Gold in the Final Match. However, Belmont Blue forfeited given they already earned a nod to the Club 7s Championships allowing Belmont Shore Gold to win the Sun Splash 7s.
The third-place match had Santa Monica facing Oceanside and winning 31-10. This win secured Santa Monica the second seed to the Club 7s Championship. Belmont Shore Gold secured enough points with its Sun Splash 7s victory to lock up the third seed to the New York City event August 11 and 12.
The Pacific South will be strongly represented at the August New York City Club 7s Championship with the San Diego Surfers joining the Belmont Shore Blue, Santa Monica, and Belmont Shore Gold clubs vying for the top prize in the 7s prize in the US.
