After some very busy rugby around the nation the West Coast has plenty going on.
Washington
Last week the Eastside Lions won over rivals Camas 49-0. Two tries from prop Peleki Vuatalevu were augmented by tries from wing Jerry Motokana, hooker Aseri Kauwea, flanker Seth Abood, and flanker Landon Barton. Jerry Fleming also scored a try and was a perfect 7-for-7 on conversions for a 19-point day.
This result set up a clash this past weekend with the Liberty Patriots, sitting at 2nd in the Rugby Washington D1.
This game was a curtain-raiser for the Major League Rugby game between the Seattle Seawolves and Chicago Hounds (Seattle won 28-22). Perfect playing conditions set the stage for a game of open, flowing rugby, and it was Eastside who seized the initiative from the onset. A fast, clinical drive deep into Liberty territory forced a penalty five meters out and scrumhalf and playmaker Jerry Fleming sniped over.
Liberty’s cause was hampered by ill-discipline at the breakdown. Infringements for not releasing and repeated offside gifted Eastside field position, and from a clean lineout the Lions struck again. No. 8, Lewis Chambers battered through the line before offloading to hard-running openside Abood. Moments later, a Liberty handling error near their own line handed Eastside a five-meter scrum. Quick service off the base allowed flyhalf Tristan Lolohea to weave his way close before Chambers finished the move. Fleming converted for a 19-0 lead.
A messy clearance from Liberty fell into the hands of Motokana for Eastside, and he burned two defenders down the sideline to dive into the corner.
After halftime Liberty wing Caleb Christian finished off a well-constructed passage to score. The Patriots would keep coming and while Eastside prop Zayne Kuewa and Fleming both scored for the Lions, but the Patriots responded with a super solo effort from center Ave Toso and a score from the forwards. After that Liberty prop Nicholas Leoso rumbled over to make it 36-20. But Eastside slammed the comeback door shut with a try from Junior Rasileka to finish that up 41-20. Eastside remains undefeated in Washington and is looking forward to the Boys HS National Championship in May.
Also this past weekend, Camas won convincingly over Panthers and Chuckanut won comfortably over Budd Bay. Rainier Highlanders shut out Wenatchee in impressive fashion.
Eastern Washington
Ellensburg and the Liberty Warriors both won over the weekend. Liberty is now 2-0 while Ellensburg's lopsided win puts them at 1-1, tied with Yakima. With Yakima having beaten Ellensburg and having pushed Liberty at 58-32, it looks like Yakima and Liberty are the top two in the league.
Oregon
The Eastside Tsunamis remains undefeated in Oregon with a 36-12 win over Summit. The Tsunami are surging nicely and with Bend 3-1-1 following them, and Beaverton at 3-2, they are more than a game’s worth clear.
The Tsunamis have been boosted by some early-season help from former USA 7s star Martin Iosefo, who is also running a series of PR7s camps in Portland. Iosefo was a valuable addition but time pressures made it difficult for him to be what the club wanted … for him to be Head COach. As a result, club president Michael Swiericzuk stepped in to be the Head Coach while Iosefo serves as a coach mentor and assists during training.
“He has proven to be a powerful tool in our coaching kit this season,” said Swiericzuk.
So far, the Tsunamis have been very good, beating Chinook, Beaverton, Canby, Bend, and now Summit.
Sam Ng as been a leader in the backs. He has been playing since a young age and his experience and rugby IQ makes him effective wherever he plays. He started the season at scrumhalf and has since moved to outside center.
“His ability to read the field, move the ball and evade the opposition is second to none,” said Swiericzuk. “He’s a real playmaker, a game-changer and a leader.”
Seniors and twin brothers Vai and Tau Takau are huge for the Tsunamis. Vai is a prop and sometime flanker who is aggressive and loves to tackle. Tau has played both as a back and a forward, either at center or loose forward. His speed and handling skills make him stand out.
Senior Makia Wilks is another player who can make an impact at multiple position, and wherever he plays he scores tries. Nic Koller has been a dangerous attacker at center or fullback, while flyhalf Massimo Natali makes it al happen.
New players Ace Dotson and Howie Hay have brought athleticism and an eagerness to learn. Dotson is a try-scoring prop. Hay, at 6-5, 260, is very mobile and brings his strength and footwork from shot put and discus.
Two more weeks remain in the regular season, with Eastside all but guaranteed to be 1st before the playoffs come. This coming game between Beaverton and Bend will decide, most likely, who finishes 2nd.
