The playoff picture for the Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference got a bit mistier this weekend as unbeaten Washington lost and Western Washington won a crucial game.

Oregon hosted Washington Saturday and ran out to a 20-7 lead at halftime. But the Huskies responded, scoring three tries to lead 24-20 late. It was then that the Ducks got a big breakaway, and with good support running whipped the ball out to wing Gabe Chavez, who scored the game-winner - 25-24 Oregon.

“We had a lot of motivation and really came out playing well in the first half,” said Oregon’s Connor Crossley. 

Prop Paul Gerard led the charge up front and the Ducks seemed to be in control. 

But Oregon ran out of gas a little in the second half, as Washington stormed back. The Huskies will be wishing they had kicked just one more conversion, as they would have kept the score in their favor. As it is, Washington drops to 3-1, but takes two bonus points from the game.

Western Washington beat Washington State 31-23 in a clash of 2-2 teams. WWU led 12-9 at the halftime against a much bigger opponent, holding their own by being quicker to the breakdown and moving the ball. The Vikings crossed the goal line three more times in the second half to secure the win.

Leading the way for the Vikings was Nick Bonovich, who scored two tries, while Anthony Fleck, Louie Henson, and Noah Hanks also touched down. Nick Salimano converted three.

Central Washington won comfortably over winless Western Oregon 74-0. On Friday, CWU beat Oregon State in a non-conference game 79-0. Head Coach Tony Pacheco split his squad, but some of the scorers from Friday showed up on the scoresheet on Saturday, too. Zach Siemens scored three against WOU, and once against OSU. Dominic Lindstrom and Dustin Melton also scored against both teams.

CWU is 4-0 in Conference play, but won’t be part of the playoffs. So it’s the teams fighting for spots 2-through-5 who will. With their victory over Washington, Oregon joins the Huskies near the top. WWU and Washington State are battling for the next two spots, but will have to watch out for Boise State, 1-2 and still with plenty of rugby to play.