FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Midwest U-19 team captured a 22-14 victory over the NortheastU19’s to win the Women’s U-19 Invitational National All-Star Championships.
This was the sixth annual U-19 iNASC tournament, with the previous events being held in Nashville TN, Fort Lauderdale FL and Las Flores, CA. The 2011 competition featured teams representing five of the USA Rugby Territorial Unions, as well as a developmental squad comprised of a handful of players selected from the current U-20 Women’s National Team pool and younger players recommended by the TU-19, college and high school coaches. This was a slightly different format to previous years due to the Pacific and West territories being unable to field U-19 sides.
The six team tournament kicked off on Saturday, with very good matches in both pools.
Saturday Results
Pool 1
MARFU def. South, 26-7
Northeast def South, 33-0
Northeast def MARFU, 12-0
Pool 2
U20 Dev def SoCal, 15-11
Midwest def SoCal, 54-0
Midwest def U20 Dev, 5-0
The outcome of day one set the stage for a set of Sunday match-ups with the winners of each pool facing each other for the Championship title. Sunday kicked off with a very well contested game between SoCal and the South. With both sides greatly improved from previous years the quality of play was high and the game was played end to end. SoCal won out 17-7.
The second game of the day saw a good MARFU side unfortunately depleted by injury, run into a U20 Developmental Side smarting from a first day loss. The U20‘s scored several early tries and continued to pull away to a 69-8 win.
The final pitted a strong and disciplined Midwest U-19 team against a Northeast U19 squad who were growing in confidence with very game.
The Midwest got on the board early with a couple of tries and looked to have the game in hand until a comeback by the Northeast made for a very exciting second half. The score at the final whistle was 22-14 in favor of the Midwest who took home their second U19 iNASC Title.
Sunday Results
SoCal def South, 17-7
U20 Dev def MARFU, 69-8
Midwest def Northeast, 22-14
“The quality of play continues to improve, especially at the breakdown. SoCal completely out rucked the U20 Dev Side on Saturday and came so close to a memorable win.” USA Under-20 Women’s Head Coach Bryn Chivers said. “The Fort Lauderdale men and Fort Lauderdale/Miami women did an incredible job in hosting another great U19 iNASC, Holding the event in conjunction with the girls sevens tournament created a wonderful day of rugby.”
For more information on the Under-19 Invitational National All-Star Championship or to recommend prospective players for the Under-20 WNT, please contact U-20 Head Coach Bryn Chivers.
bryn.chivers@gmail.com
