Layton Christian Academy won the Utah Youth Rugby boys 7s earlier this month, overcoming a strong field off opposition.

LCA has struggled with numbers because it's football season, said Head Coach Tongia Vaitaki. "But we were able to pull it off with the few numbers we got."

Metui Kaufusi and Justin Sau showed their leadership and experience while Penisoni Talanoa and Nisi Hiliau put in solid performances as well.

LCA fielded some less inexperienced players from their Tier 2 team to fill in the numbers on the Tier 1 squad. But, added Vaitaki, their experience traveling and competing against high level teams in California, Texas, Florida, and Indiana "gave us an advantage ahead of most of the teams here in Utah."

Certainly they learned poise. Toa Rugby was a tough opponent in the final, but Siaki Fekitoa's explisve attack and his intensity on defense saw LCA trough.

"Tat was a very good Toa Rugby team," said Vaitaki.