Pacific South Recap: Teams Bounce Back After Early Losses
Men’s Division I:
Santa Monica was able to continue their hot start to the Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP) season, with tightly fought win over San Francisco Golden Gate. Max Rodman’s boot proved to be the difference between the two clubs, as the flyhalf was responsible for 11 of the teams 16 points. The Dolphins moving to 2-0 on the season thanks to the narrow, 16-14, win. Old Mission Beach (OMBAC) was on the wrong end of a shootout against Life West, 59-30. OMBAC raced out to an early 10-0 lead just three minutes into the game, but the Gladiators stormed back scoring 14 unanswered. OMBAC answered back before half to take the lead 23-21, but Life West crossed again before half leaving the scoreboard reading, 28-23 as the teams went into the sheds. The gladiators came out storming early in the second half and buffered their lead to the eventual 29 point margin of victory thanks to a try after injury time. Belmont Shore recovered after a disappointing loss in the first round to squeeze out a tight fought win over the Glendale Merlins, who remain winless in their first season back in the PRP.
Women’s Division II:
The Las Vegas Slots landed an impressive win over San Fernando Valley Rugby 50-5. Jeruscha Ako got the proceedings underway for the Slots, scoring two tries in four minutes. By the 34th minute, she had managed to secure her hat-trick. From there the try scoring duties were taken over by Haylee Holsclaw. The inside center managed to secure a brace in the space of 24 minutes. With the win, the Slots are only now one point behind Old Pueblo lightning for the lead in Division II play.
Men’s Division III:
The only action in the Pacific South’s men’s division III competition saw the Arizona pool play two games. In the first encounter, the closer of the two, had Scottsdale Blues come out on top of the Northern Arizona Landsharks 19-0. Las Vegas Irish D3 beat Old Pueblo Lions in convincing fashion, 70-0. It was a complete team effort as nine different players crossed the whitewash for the Irish on the day.
Men’s Division IV:
In men’s division IV play, Fullerton took sole possession of first place, after knocking off Riverside Rugby- who in addition to Fullerton had been sitting in first at the start of the weekend. Riverside will be able to make up for lost ground with a strong showing against Dead Rabbits next weekend.
