Pacific South Recap: Few Nails Left After Close Encounters
Men’s Division II:
After a week’s rest, Men’s Division II play in the Pacific South picked up again. Pasadena made up for lost time and scored a convincing 48-20 win over the Red Mountain Warthogs. The Warthogs established an early lead, only to see it fade by half time. Pasadena seized the momentum coming out of the gates in the second half, scoring in the first minute, and never looking back. Inside Center, Anthony Mendoza, number eight, Jacob Jaureguy and fullback Api Foumai all bagged doubles in the effort.
San Fernando Valley survived a last minute scare to cling on to a one-point, 30-29, victory over the Las Vegas Irish. After a close first half, San Fernando pulled away in the opening moments of the second; in large part due to the boot of Hawks Liva. They sat on an 11 point lead with ten minutes to play, but a score in the 70th minute followed by a yellow card five minutes later set up for a climactic finish- and that’s exactly what happened. A try to Chase Barber, of the Irish, with time expired left the game in a one-point balance and a kick to come. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, and San Fernando survived to record their first win of the season.
Another close game saw the Ventura County Outlaws hold on against the Tempe Old Devils. Tempe opened the game with a 17-3 lead after only 25 minutes. However, the Outlaws snapped back and methodically chipped away at the Devils’ lead until they over took them, 24-17 in the 64th minute. A try in the 75th minute to Tempe’s tight-head prop, Justin Reeves, drew the score within two and a successful conversion would tie the game up. The kick missed and Ventura County held on in the final five minutes for a 24-22 win.
The San Diego Old Aztecs gave Los Angeles Rugby a day they’d rather forget. The Aztecs walking away with a resounding, 62-15 win. Inside Center Mapa Tuipulotu was the hat trick hero in their winning efforts.
Women’s Division II:
The only match to be played in the women’s pacific south competition ended in a 14-14 draw between the Las Vegas Slots and Pasadena Rugby. Pasadena crossed first in the fourth minute, before a try to Las Vegas’ Tameris Griffin drew everything level again. Shortly after halftime Pasadena reestablished their lead via Molly Shamieh before the Slots tied it up once more seven minutes later. From there the score did not change and the final whistle blew with 14 points to each team.
Men’s Division III:
Plenty of action in Division III over the weekend. Old Pueblo Lions took down the Northern Arizona Landsharks, in an evenly contested match, 27-24. The Lions opened with a 12-0 lead, but by half time the scores had been leveled. Three minutes into the second half and it was the Landsharks in the lead. It didn’t take long for the Lions to rediscover their roar, and two tries in six minutes saw them retake the lead, 22-19. In what was becoming somewhat of a tradition, the Landsharks retook the lead less than three minutes later and with 20 left on the clock, Northern Arizona was on top 24-22. However, the last and winning score was secured in the 66th minute when hooker Daniel Berumen crashed over the line to win the game for the Lions.
The Tucson Magpies blew by Camelback rugby, 41-0. Outside Center, David Spence crossed for two tries; and Phoenix Rugby were able to stave off a tough Scottsdale Blues side, 38-24.
In Southern California, Belmont Shore D3 beat San Diego Old Aztecs D3 with ease, 70-7. Back Bay Sharks were able to hold off Eagle Rock Athletic, 20-13; and the Huntington Beach Unicorns improved to 2-1 with an eight point decision over Santa Barbara 22-14.
Men’s Division IV:
The only game of the round for the Pacific South’s Men’s Division IV competition saw Riverside Rugby drop their second on the trot, this time to Dead Rabbits Rugby, 41-38.
