Rebel, Belmont Shore Lead Title Runs in NAI Sevens
Rebel, Belmont Shore Lead Title Runs in NAI Sevens
Here's a quick look at the NAI 7s.
U18 Elite
Rebel Rugby Academy White won the Boys U18 Elite in dramatic fashion, coming back from a 12-7 deficit at halftime to win 26-24 over Next Phase Rugby. This was exactly the matchup last year and Rebel came away with a close win then, too.
This game hinged in part on a yellow card against Next Phase for a late tackle, and a collision on the restart that ended with a penalty against Next Phase that was ... well it was a bang-bang play, let's just say that. Next Phase unleashed some champagne moves throughout the game with Masi Koi a sidestepping freak and Julian Niulala making big plays on defense and chasing down his own kick to set up a try. Young Caleb Ray was impressive, too.
But down at halftime Rebel did not flinch and did not give up on defense. With tries from Troy Herdolt, Luke Peters, and Arnaud Agasse they reeled Next Phase in and led 21-19. Then a nice flat ball to Marco Lapierre saw him barrel in for a 26-19 lead. Next Phase answered with a snappy backhanded offload from Niulala to Koi put the stepper in. Koi then lined up the conversion to tie it, but it was a tough angle for a right-footed kicker and the ball curved just wide. Game over, and a resilient, polished Rebel side took the cup for the third straight time.
Belmont Shore and Majestics had been on a collision course all weekend in the Girls U18 Elite bracket. Coming into Saturday, both were 3-0. Belmont Shore had given up just one try. But against Atlantis they gave up two and were a little miffed that they did. But Belmont Shore's commitment to moving the ball saw them win 36-14. Majestics slammed Rock Rugby 46-5. Then these two teams met in the 5th round of pool play and Majestics' power overcame Belmont Shore's speed.
But this was perhaps a scouting mission for Belmont Shore. Because in the ensuing final Belmont Shore, led by Nila Lolesio-Pua, Khalea Pahulu, and Flri LIufau, they found space and forced the Majestics defense to chase them around. They couldn't quite shake Majestics, but held on 22-14.
It was a superb team performance.
U18 Open
The San Mateo Wolverines girls were brilliant in the final, defeating a very good Eagle HS team in a rain-interrupted final. They continued to chase down Eagle on breaks and made their own breakaways.
Team related, led by the power of Papa Matelau, opened their first ever tournament with a championship, beating another Utah-based team, the West Valley Warriors, in the final.
Finishes:
Boys U18 Elite
1. Rebel Rugby Academy White
2. Next Phase Rugby
3. Belmont Shore
4. Eagle Impact Rugby Academy
5. TOA
6. San Mateo Wolverines
7. USA South Panthers
8. Rebel Rugby Academy Black
9. Cavemen
10. Layton Christian Academy
11. Gorilla
12. WAR
13. Atlantis Teal /. Highland (tied 33-33
15. Try Time
16. Rock Rugby
Girls U18 Elite
1. Belmont Shore
2. Majestics
3. Atlantis
4. Utah Cannibals
5. Summit
6. Rock Rugby
Boys U18 Open
1. Team Related
2. West Valley Warriors
3. Pioneer 7s
4. Rebe Rugby Academy
5. Riverton
6. Liberty
7 Kahuku
8. USA South Panthers
9. KC Jr. Blues
10. Mother Lode
11. New Mexico Desert Warriors
12. Sacramento Kaji
13. Laguna Beach
14. NCYRU
15. LA Tribe
16. TOA
17. Belmont Shore
18. Atlantis
19. Provo Steelers
20. War Frogs
21. Gorilla
22. MacDowell
23. San Mateo Wolverines
24. Skagit Valley
25. Titans
26. Bitterroot
27. Wasatch
28. Rush Rugby
Girls U18 Open
1. San Mateo Wolverines
2. Eagle Lady Mustangs
3. Meridian
4. PNW Loggers
5. TOA
6. Pioneer 7s
7. Sacramento Harlequins
8. Pleasanton Blue
9. Badger Rugby
10. Kahuku
11. NCYRU
12. Bitterroot Koa
13. Try Time
14. New Mexico Desert Warriors
15. Pleasanton Yellow
