Pacific Rugby Premiership:
In the top of the table clash, it was Life West Gladiators that emerged victorious over the Santa Monica Dolphins, 29-26. The first forty were tightly contested, as the Dolphins creeped a head 11-7. The two teams then proceeded to swap tries for the first 25 minutes of the second half; until a two tries back to back, for the Gladiators, from Devereaux Ferris and Naibuka Tawake, saw them ump out to an eight point lead, with 10 left to play. The Dolphins crossed one last time after time expired to bring the game back to within three, but it was too little, too late.
Old Mission Beach Athletic and the Glendale Merlins drew, in a 10-10 contest. Glendale got the early lead through a try to Siale Maka, but it was soon answered by OMBAC’s Faafetai Te’o. The teams then swapped a penalty goal each in the second half, with OMBAC tying the scores up with 10 minutes remaining. Niether team could crack the other’s defense and the score remained at ten-a-piece.
There was no such drama in the Belmont Shore, San Francisco Golden Gate game; as last year’s champs blew by SFGG 51-0. Adam Channel led the way with four tries.
Women’s Division I:
In an absolute nail-biter, Santa Monica Dolphins came back to take down Belmont Shore Rugby, 25-24. After crossing the line in the 15th minute, Belmont Shore held onto their lead up until the 78th minute when the Dolphins were able to complete an impressive fourteen point comeback. Three tries inside the final 20 minutes, and a yellow card in the 70th minute to Belmont, all aided Santa Monica in their impressive comeback.
Men’s Division II:
It was a week of blowouts in Men’s Division II play, San Diego Old Aztecs were simply too good for San Fernando Valley Rugby, beating them comfortably, 64-12. Ventura County Outlaws put the Oceanside Chiefs under the pump, 45-19. The Tempe Old Devils, put in one of their best performances of the season running away with a, 60-17, win over Los Angeles Rugby. The biggest win in the division belonged to Las Vegas Irish, who were in extraordinary form, taking down the Red Mountain Warthogs, 80-7.
Women’s Division II:
Pasadena rugby moved up to 2-1-1 on the season, after calming dismantling San Fernando Valley Rugby, 59-17. Pasadena got the game started at a blistering pace, scoring 19 points in only 14 minutes. San Fernando responded, but it did little to help the cause, as Pasadena piled on another 21 unanswered points in the following half hour. Blindside flanker, Celine Deneuve, was instrumental in the win, grabbing a hat trick.
Men’s Division III:
The Arizona competition saw two games take place. On Friday, the Scottsdale Blues blew by Camelback Rugby, 95-7. Sean Todd and Mitchell Stevens each stood out in brilliant individual performances. Both scoring 20 points, Todd’s coming from four tries; while Stevens saw his come from two tries and five conversions. The second game was not much closer, as the Tucson Magpies were outclassed by the Northern Arizona Land Sharks, 74-13. The difference maker in the game, was outside center Jason Pickens who scored four tries in just 42 minutes.
In Southern California, Eagle Rock Athletic won a tight one against San Diego Old Aztec D3, 22-12. It only took Eagle Rock 32 minutes to race out to a 17-0 lead; while Old Aztec D3 clawed their way back into it the damage had already been done. San Luis Obispo were convincing in their lopsided victory over Belmont Shore Rugby, 30-7. It was a similar scoreline when the Beaumont Bluehawks played Kern County. The latter of the two teams getting up to a 31-10 win. Back Bay and North County Gurkhas were locked in a tense shootout; with Back Bay escaping with a 41-40 win. Two late tries from the Gurkhas brought the game to an exciting finish, but Back Bay had controlled most of the match.
Men’s Division IV:
The Temecula Mountain Lions and Riverside Rugby were locked in a good fight over the weekend; with the Mountain Lions prevailing, 28-19. It was one way traffic for most of the affair, but a late comeback attempt from Riverside brought the game into a closer timeline. Dead Rabbits were too much for the Los Angeles Rebellion, winning, 45-14. The South Bay Stingrays, also won big beating the San Diego Armada, 64-12.
