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UW, WWU Win in NCRC Semis

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UW, WWU Win in NCRC Semis

UW and WWU met in the final in 2015, and will again in 2016. Robin Russell photo.

Western Washington will face the University of Washington in the final of the Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference after both teams won semifinals this weekend.

Washington shut out Washington State 48-0 in Seattle, backed by a much improved forward performance. With front-rowers Quavion Jenkins and Nate Lungstrom setting a platform and scoring tries, the Huskies met WSU at the point of contact. Out wide, Jack Stimson was superb at flyhalf, especially in defense, and Josh Rayburn was also crucial to the Husky effort.

Scrumhalf Peter Harrison, who two years ago was out with a broken back and then this fall was out with an ankle injury, returned to play his first game all season, and was inspirational.

"We knew the style of play we wanted and we got it," said Coach Mike Alfstad. "It was a good team win but we got some good senior leadership who kept us going."

UW faces WWU in a replay of the 2014-15 NCRC final. The Vikings defeated Oregon in a tough one, 29-18. Oliver Daugherty scored two tries while Nate Reagan and Nate Muir added one each. WWU led 17-3 at halftime, but Oregon kept at it and push the Vikings all the way.

As defending champs, WWU will host the final Saturday, April 9. The winner has an automatic berth in the DIAA Round of 16.