GRR: All-Stars
Northern California took both the U19 Boys and U16 Boys trophies at the Great Northwest Challenge state-based select-side tournament this weekend in Missoula, Mont.
Hosted by the Montana Youth Rugby Union and signaling a return to the old-style state-organization select-side event. In fact, The GNC did not allow anything other than state or regionally-based SRO teams.
Washington will play Montana in the Great Northwest Challenge girls final Saturday afternoon.
All of that was finalized Saturday morning when Washington tool care of a lucky Arizona team 17-5.
The format of the event was for all eight (originally) teams and then six to play three pool matches, with the top two based on record making the final.
So much to say about the first day of the Great Northwest Classic.
Northern California pulled off a big one to open the tournament. Both NorCal and Oregon came from behind to win games. One pool had three teams go 1-1. Montana almost lost to the Cascade Conference only to storm back to win 20-10. Oregon surprised.
The Midwest Thunderbirds girls select side is on tour in New Zealand.
The Baby Birds, under the coaching of Garrett Fisher and John English, and are going through a tour of games, training sessions, and cultural experiences.
The Midwest Thunderbirds, Panther Rugby Academy, and NOLA Gold Academy faced off in Nashville in a small select side tournament over the weekend.