1/18/2010
Westlake Victorious In Second Annual Capital City Rugby Tournament
The Westlake High School Rugby team impressed fans last Saturday by winning its first two matches of the season in commanding fashion and taking top honors in the second annual Capital City Rugby Tournament.
Westlake hosted Stony Point High School, Alamo Heights club team, and a strong Austin Area High School club team at Ebbie Neptune Field on Saturday as the rugby squads competed for central Texas bragging rights and the unique tournament trophy – a golden sledgehammer.
In its first match of the season, Westlake ruggers easily handled an overmatched Alamo Heights club team, blanking the visitors from San Antonio by a score of 39-0. Westlake scrum, especially the third row, consisting of Rogan Lye, Evan Von Zur Meuhlen, and Ellis Glaw, dominated play throughout the game, keeping Alamo Heights bottled up in their end of the field for much of the match. The Westlake backs, led by scrum half Connor McNally and fly half Markham Sayers, got the ball out quickly after scrum downs and kept it moving out to the wings. McNally got the scoring started early for the Westlake backs, which, collectively, scored four tries in the match’s first period. Aside from McNally, Vince Costa, Paul Brown, and Chase Carona each notched a try in the period after impressive runs. A conversion kick added by Von Zur Muehlen put Westlake up 22-0 at the half.
Westlake’s scoring continued in the final period on the strength of impressive scrum play and crisp passing by the backs, especially scrum half Reid McMenamin. Full back James Robison took a pass early in the period and raced down the left side for a score. Chase Carona, playing at wing, got his second try of the match midway through the period. Even Westlake’s scrum got into the act when newcomer Zane Kuhlman, playing prop, picked up a ball after a loose ruck in front of the visitor’s try line and rumbled in for a score late in the period. A conversion kick added by Alex Lokken resulted in a final score of 39-0.
After a strong Austin Area club team beat Stony Point High School in its first match of the day, it faced Westlake in the afternoon’s championship match. In a move that showcased its depth of talent, Westlake started a mixed side, with many of its starters playing in their first rugby match ever.
Despite the relative inexperience of the Westlake side, it played a tough Austin Area team to a draw during the first period, when neither team scored. Cristian Bauzas played at scrum half and did a good job directing Westlake’s attack. Marcus Peiper and Adam Bartling did an outstanding job tackling on the back line. And Lane Scarborough played an especially notable game in the scrum’s second row – with the referee remarking on his inspired play after the match. Veteran Eric Wiggen was also impressive at eight man.
Westlake took command of the match early in the second period as more of its experienced players took the field. Flanker Rogan Lye and prop James Howe helped the Westlake scrum dominate scrum play. Maclean Martin was aggressive while jumping on lineouts, allowing Westlake to maintain possession for much of the period. The Westlake ruggers took good advantage of these strengths throughout the period. Ellis Glaw, playing at flanker, scored minutes after the period began after breaking several tackles and running through the heart of the Austin Area defense. Von Zur Muehlen scored a second try midway through the period and, after he added two conversion kicks, Westlake jumped out to a comfortable 14-0 lead with time running out for the visitors.
Austin Area broke its scoring drought late in the half on a quick tap and go run after Westlake was penalized deep in its own territory. But Westlake responded with a try of its own late in the match when outside center Sean Potter added a final score, securing the championship trophy – and central Texas bragging rights - for the West Banker ruggers for the second year in a row.
Charles Vermont