Match reports from Kevin Sullivan of Ruckinginsurance.com below…many thanks and THANKS for letting me sleep on your couch tomorrow night!! To watch matches and see updated scores, go here.
The Weather was constant wind driven drizzell. Ball was a greased pig as all 6 sides struggled with handling errors.
NOVA 25 Breakers 23
Down 8 points with 7 minutes left, NOVA’s #11 Stacy Bennett score two unconverted tries to win. NOVA waived the conversion on the first try, since only down 3, and precious little time, they need a score of any type to keep the game alive.
Amazons 27 ORSU 20
Another down to the final minute match, Amazon’s Lynelle Kugler dotted down 2 yahtzees. Again, massive forward play with little room for the backs. Conditions began to worsen after…
Surfers 21 Atlanta 10
Atlanta came to play. First possession saw Atlanta’s backs slice between the 13 and Wing for SD. Smart kicking kept the Surfers in their end of the pitch, and SD were unable to string together any phases because of handling errors. At half, Atlanta led 10 to 7.
Second half, second story. Having the wind, and understanding the conditions, the Surfers struck back with a multi-phase try. Conversion put them ahead of Atlanta 14 to 10. Then, both sides seemed to live between the 10s, with no one gaining any momentum. Atlanta attempted to go wide, then pop back inside. Back Rower Barker, for San Diego, intercepted and the Surfers put the match away 21 10.
Keystone 27 DC Furies 7
Upstart Keystone made short work of DC in second half of another forward weather-created battle. It was 5 to 5 at halftime, but Keystone adjusted to the conditions faster than their opponents, and rolled another 22 points. Coach Peter Steinberg made the adjustments he needed to, and Ines Rodriquez answered his call with two tries.
NY 13 Beantown 10
The sides’ supporters were loud enough to drown out the whistle on the opposite field. This was a war, a slow, WWI trench war, with little ground and certainly no quarter.
Beantown’s scrum dominated. Every put-in was Town’s ball, regardless of who was awarded the scrum. NY adjusted by keeping the ball wide, and put together zig zagging phases early. Two penalties had NY up 6 to zero at half.
In the second chucker, Beantown figured out that they were bigger than NY. Phraida Knight did her damnedest to steal pill, but Town’s pick-n-goes drove over two tries, almost on the exact same spot. With precious minutes left, Boston tackled as if they were coached by Bill Belichek himself!
The wide game proved too much, however, and NY #13 finally broke the tackle of her opposite. With the fullback to beat, a simple pop pass to her #14, and a 7 pointer was scored. Standout player for NY was their fullback. Bean tried to kick to kill clock, but the 15 made grab after grab, once instance, with a wet ball and lousy conditions, pulled in the pill one-handed, and returned a run of over 35m!
Berkeley 19 Minnesota 5
Minnesota had Berkeley on the Ropes. Like George Foreman, Ali was taking blow after blow, just absorbing pressure. Though the first half was scoreless, the Valkyries dominated as if driven by Odin himself.
The second looked to be the first. Relentless pressure on the All Blues resulted in an un-converted try for Minnesota. Would the defending National Champions fall in the Semis?
Nope.
What Berkeley need was possession inside the Minnesota half. A mid field scuffle saw Ashley English on the toe, turning the corner. Number 8 Blair Groesfma supported kept her feet, and maintained possession. A quick ruck, a quick chip, and the far side winger for Berkeley put downward pressure on the ball. Berkeley 7, Minnesota 5.
Berkeley’s fitness was obvious. Keeping in Minnesota’s half with kicks and punches, another loose ball was dove upon for another try. Berkeley 12 Minnesota 5.
Minnesota had chance after chance, driving hard with the Forwards back into Berkeley territory. The conditions decided to take a piece from the Midwestern ladies, and Berkeley found themselves dashing up a sideline for the put away try. The conversion ended the match 19 5, Berkeley.
Kevin Sullivan
Ever Get Hurt Playing Rugby?
RuckingInsurance.com
800-605-5024
Ca Lic 0E92750
To watch the matches LIVE and see updated scores, go here.
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Hey Wendy,
Just wanted to tell you I thought you did a great job on the commentary – way better than most of the people they’ve had in the past. Thanks for all your great work!
Meredith
Meredith,
Thank you so much! It was intimidating but I had fun doing it. I am hoping to do more in the future!
Wendy