 |
||
UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION Related Pages |
 Shadow, AllNight and Casa Colina Colina advance to Nationals The Western Sectionals had many new faces this year. With three regular teams transferring (California Quake, San Diego Bushwhackers, and Team X) to try their luck elsewhere, teams that might not have advanced got to participate in the Sectional Tournament. The first night of competition was like most tourneys where the higher seeds play the lower seeds. In Fridays contests the higher seeds showed some muscle scoring at will while forcing many turnovers on their opponents. Casa Colina Colina beat Northridge, the Dukes beat Reno, Shadow beat Portland, Casa Colina beat Reno, the Dukes beat Northridge and AllNight beat Portland. Although the scores were not close, the rookies (12 true rookies on 5 different teams) showed that they have much talent and the veterans need to take note. These kids will be around for a long time to come. Saturdays play started with Northridge and Reno playing for their first win of the 1998 Sectionals. Reno kept the game close but in the end Northridge took the victory. The second games matched 3rd seed AllNight against 1st seed Shadow while the other court featured 2nd seed Casa Colina Colina against 4th seed Spokane. On the first court AllNight kept the score close for the first half but couldn't compete against the multiple lineups that Shadow put on the floor in the second. AllNight finally pulled their starters and decide to save them for the crossover games in the afternoon. On court two Casa Colina and the Dukes played not only to win, but to keep from having to play Shadow in the crossover. Casa Colina won the tip-off and the first point but the Dukes quickly responded with a score of their own. The tally went back and fourth throughout the 1st quarter with neither team being able to take more than a one point lead. The second quarter provided more of the same until there were just 2 minutes left in the quarter. The Dukes forced a crucial turnover that gave them a 2 point lead at the half. In the 3rd quarter Casa Colina came back and tied the game but was not able to get the lead. The Dukes took a 1 point lead going into the 4th and managed to force another turnover that gave them a 2 point cushion. With a 2 point lead the Dukes seemed to have the game in control. With just 47 ticks left in the game, Spokane first got a technical to put one of their players in the penalty box and then had a "illegal contact" call that put a second player in as well. The Dukes still had the ball, a 2 point lead and 2 players left on the court. Casa Colina got sloppy and had a 1 meter violation called against them and had to finish play with only 3 players of their own on the court. The Dukes inbounded the ball and ran out the clock to take the first upset victory of the Sectional. In the first crossover games of the tourney, Portland beat Reno to advance them to the 5th/6th place game on Sunday. The next game pitted Casa Colina against the defending National champs, Sharp Shadow. Casa Colina kept the score close in the first half but was not able to hold on in the second. Shadow finished the game with a decisive 46 to 31 win. The final game on Saturday pitted AllNight and the Dukes in a game that could give
either team an automatic ticket to Nationals. Sunday morning would end the season for 4 of the 7 teams in attendance. In the 5th/6th place game Portland easily won over Northridge 51 to 27. Then, the most important game of Casa Colina and Spokane's season began. The 3rd/4th place game pitted the Dukes against the Casa Colina for the last ticket to Nationals. The Dukes had beaten Casa Colina twice earlier in the year and had upset them just the day before. Casa Colina started the game knowing that they had not beaten the Dukes during the regular season but knew that they could if they worked hard. Casa Colina lost the jump but forced a few early turnovers that would give them a 2 point lead and some momentum early. The Dukes fought back and forced a few turnovers of their own to tie the score going into the second period. The Dukes inbounded the ball and scored quickly to start the second period. With their
first lead of the game the hometown crowd responded with much approval. This gave
the Dukes some confidence as they cashed in taking a 2 point lead to the halftime break.
But, Casa Colina wasn't done... They fought hard to keep the score from getting
more that 2 goals ahead. Looking for some breaks and not taking any chances, their
patients finally paid off.. Casa Colina caused some badly needed turnovers and had the
score tied going into the 4th. Casa Colina started what would be the The Championship game featured Sharp Shadow over AllNight. Congratulations to all of the players and teams that advanced.
|
|
How to Contact us | Quad Rugby Central Index Home Page | Rugby Calendar | Sports Page | Score Board | USQRA Zone | Files |
||
The Dukes won the
tip-off and managed to force some turnovers giving them an early 2 point lead. The
AllNight team fought hard to get back in the game but was not able to make up the
difference before the half. The Dukes brought their 2 point lead into the 3rd
quarter with hopes of adding but soon began to struggle. With the Dukes tiring,
AllNight dug deep to find the energy and momentum they needed. After scoring with
just :07 left on the clock, AllNight forced 2 quick turnovers and scored on both to tie
the score at 33 going into the 4th. At the start of the final period AllNight
inbounded the ball and took their first lead of the game. The Dukes responded with a
goal of their own but it was clear that AllNight had all the momentum in their court.
AllNight forced another turnover and took a 2 point lead with 3:30 left in the game.
Smelling victory, AllNight forced 2 more turnovers and clinched the win 45-41. This
assured them a spot in the National tournament, a chance to win the Sectional Championship
and forced the Dukes to play in the 3rd/4th place game. 
final period for one of the teams by scoring first and taking back the lead
that they had lost in the first quarter. This also helped take the crowd out of the
game. The Dukes had to show patients of their own. Then, the crash of the weekend
came..... a hit that echoed throughout the gymnasium. With just and a minute and a
half to play and Casa Colina leading 31 to 30 over the Dukes, two of rugby’s hardest
hitters collided. Jerry from Casa Colina was heading for the goal line and a 2 point
lead when out of the Dukes pack Steve Pate emerged to meet him at the goal line.
Jerry’s chair went flying up in the air and out from under him and lands him on the
cone.. The Dukes hometown crowd went wild as the Dukes got the ball back with a
chance to tie the score. The Dukes inbound the ball but were not able to
advance. Casa Colina kept their composure (minus Jerry) and forced 2 turnovers that
gave them a 33 to 31 victory and a spot at the Nationals. 