Men's Division I:
No shortage of scoring in the Pacific Rugby Premiership this weekend, with only one team being held to less than 30 points. Glendale got their second win of the season, as they handed the Santa Monica Dolphins their second loss in a row, 43-37. The tone of the match was set in the second minute when Glendale went crashing over the line, from there the points started to flow and didn’t stop until the final minutes, with 40 minutes played the teams had already combined to score 50 points. Glendale were helped over the line by a hat-trick from their number 8, Alex Fitch. Fitch’s ability to find the line at crucial times, helped Santa Monica establish leads and, when needed, draw level.
Belmont Shore made up for their opening round loss to Old Mission Beach this weekend, in a big way, 45-15. The difference between the two teams was Belmont’s fullback, Viliame Pila Longi- who scored three tries, including a double inside the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Life West held on to top spot in the competition with an emphatic win over San Francisco Golden Gate, 52-36. The result was never in doubt, as Life opened the match by scoring just under a point a minute, as they led 33-0 after 35 minutes. Credit to SFGG for putting up a strong fight in the second half, but their sluggish start was too much for them to overcome.
Men’s Division II:
In what looked like an easy game, on paper, for the San Diego Old Aztecs against the Red Mountain Warthogs, turned out to be anything but that. After 24 minutes, the Old Aztecs found themselves in the unfamiliar territory of being down 16 points. However two tries in the final 10 minutes of the first half saw their deficit close to only two. The second half started with a scoring frenzy as the Old Aztecs piled on 17 points in just 14 minutes. From there San Diego were able to coast. Red Mountain tried to get back into it but were held off, by the Old Aztecs’ ability to answer.
The Oceanside Chiefs, doubled Los Angeles Rugby’s score on their way to a 40-20 win. Six different players from the Chiefs all added a try to the team’s tally on their way to the victory.
A last minute try wasn’t enough to get the Las Vegas Irish D2 squad by Pasadena Rugby, as they fell- 22-21. The Irish hit the lead early in the 8th minute, but after the 35th minute their lead had evaporated, as Pasadena where in the middle of a 17-0 run. The Irish brought it back within three, but were unable to get any closer until the final whistle.
Women’s Division II:
The Old Pueblo were at their dominating best again on Saturday, running in 81 unanswered points in their shut out of San Fernando Valley Rugby. Nine different players scored tries for the Lightning with scrumhalf, Cassandra Riccon crossing for three.
In the other match, the Las Vegas Slots were too good for Pasadena Rugby seeing them off 21-10.
Men’s Division III:
In the Arizona competition, the third placed Tucson Magpies took down second placed Phoenix Rugby, 22-15. It was a try to fullback Anthony Spencer in the 74th minute that proved to be the nail in Phoenix’s coffin. League leaders, Scottsdale Blues, survived a scare against 4th placed Las Vegas Irish D3, 40-38. Despite owning a 26-0 lead after only 30 minutes. The Blues had to rely on a last minute try and conversion from Matthew Burkhead and Anthony Macine, respectively to get themselves across the line.
In the Southern California Competition, overcame a second half deficit of 17 points against the Huntington Beach Unicorns to win, 25-22. Earl Palmer converting a penalty attempt in the 77th minute, ultimately providing the difference. Elsewhere, the Back Bay Sharks dominated Santa Barbara Grunion, 34-14; Santa Monica D3 were able to win a tightly fought contest against the San Diego Old Aztecs D3 side; and San Luis Obispo were just too much for the Beaumont Bluehawks, downing them 52-22.
Men’s Division IV:
Dead Rabbits Rugby were in extraordinary form, taking down the South Bay Stingrays, 115-20. Winger Kalama Ka’ne scored five tries and converted four of them in the Dead Rabbits win.
