Rebel Rugby Academy, Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, Next Phase Rugby, and Belmont Shore all went 3-0 in pool play in today's NAI 7s Boys U18 Elite action.
Under Head Coach Jone Naqica, EIRA won the big clash late in the day against USA South Panthers with a well-organized defense and excellent support play to create tries. EIRA wasn't necessarily explosive, but they created opportunities but working the ball well. The Panthers were able to break through a few times, but EIRA's cover defense and speed in getting back in the defensive line saw them through 26-12.
The Panthers, who tied a tough Highland side and ended up 1-1-1, they will be ruing some good scoring chances that would have been scored if their heads had been up.
Rebel Rugby White opened with an impressive 41-0 defeat of Rock Rugby, and then beat Cavement 36-12 before finishing off their run 28-7 over San Mateo.
"A lot of these players have been together for some time, playing together over the years and spending some weeks together this summer," said Head Coach Ethan Pougnet. "I think it makes a huge difference. The likes of Zach Maughan and Marco Lapierre are leading a Rebel White side that looked in almost total control.
Next Phase opened their account with a 31-7 win over Washington Academy of Rugby. It was a tough opener for Next Phase, being a squad that is more unfamiliar with each other. But they worked together nicely and followed that up with a 31-21 defeat of Rebel Rugby Black. That put them against 0-2 Gorilla, but Gorilla did not lie down and in fact matched Next Phase try-for-try. Gorilla's patience in producing some long-range tries.
For their part, the Next Phase players said they were guilty of thinking a team that had lost twice would just step aside and let them through the door. Gorilla didn't.
"We hung on," said Matt Cleland, "but if we play like that tomorrow we will get out butts kicked."
And finally, Belmont Shore produced a highly-skilled attack that was the culmination of some years of success from this group. They beat Layton Christian, TOA, and Atlantis in convincing fashion and all three of those teams are very strong. Belmont Shore has been together all year ... for years, actually, and it showed in their play.
