Saturday, February 20, 2010
CHAPS BLANK WESTSIDE 26-0
In a surprisingly hard-fought battle in Chaparral Stadium this afternoon, the Westlake ruggers shut out Westside High School 26-0. But the match was closer than the final score indicated. In fact, Westside’s athletes, with their size and speed, may have given the Chaps their toughest test to date.
Westlake’s All-American eight man, Evan Von Zur Muehlen, scored a try midway through the first period when he raced into the opponent’s try zone and downed a loose ball that Westside just couldn’t control. With the strength and finesse of front row newcomer, “Sebass” Medina, the Westlake scrum began to dominate later in the match. Moisture on the ball caused Westlake’s passing attack to suffer in the first half, but Coach Niece accepted no excuses, exclaiming “it was wet for the opponents too.” Finally, in the second half, Westlake’s aggressive and quick passing began to pay off. The backs found wing Vince Costa open on the sideline late in the period and the visibly exhausted Westside defenders couldn’t nab him. Shortly thereafter, Westlake’s other wing, Alex Lokken, also took the ball in for a try, capping off Westlake’s 26-0 shutout.
Westlake’s second side also rolled to an impressive 30-7 victory over Westside’s second side. Scrum half Reid McMenamin made two quick penalty kicks early in the match and Westlake jumped out to an early lead. Ari Shita, a veteran rugger just returning from a football injury, bulled his way across the try line for a score. Wing, Will Slade, and fullback, Daniel Twomey, also touched the ball down in the end zone for the Chaps. At the break it was Westlake 23, Westside 0.
But the story of the second period was the inspiring back line defensive stand the Chaps mounted to repeatedly keep Westside from scoring. Westside, who by this point had put in a ringer or two from its first side, did manage a single try. In the end, it was Westlake’s defensive prowess that was most impressive.
Charles Vermont