Moscow Rugby Notches Two Wins in Tri-Cities Tournament

Richland, WA
Saturday April 23

Moscow Rugby Notches Two Wins in Tri-Cities Tournament

Moscow now 2-2 after slow start to spring season

After losing both matches of their season-opening home tournament, Moscow Rugby’s U18
team traveled to Tri-Cities and won both their matches, bringing the club’s record up to two wins
and two losses.

Moscow defeated an understrength Ellensburg/Tri-Cities squad 34-7, scoring three tries in each
half. Led by team captain Eliot Stevenson’s forward runners, Moscow was able to consistently
play over the advantage line, which opened up the field for Moscow’s backs to score, including a
scuttling run from fifteen meters out by center Owen Boyd. Aiden Duran led the way with a brace of tries.

The second match of the day was against Spokane, a repeat of a match on the previous Saturday which Spokane dominated. This time Moscow’s aggressive line speed and cover tackles kept Spokane on the back foot. Both teams played outstanding defense, with Moscow scoring 12 points in the first half and Spokane fighting back with a converted try in the second half. Joffre Swait Jr.’s rumbling twenty-meter carry through Spokane’s forward pack at the end of the first was the difference, and Moscow held on for a 12-7 win.

Head coach Joffre Swait said he was pleased with Moscow’s improved effort. “Rugby is about effort and endurance more than anything else, playing hard for each other. If our defense can play behind the advantage line all game like that, good things are going to happen.”

Moscow Rugby travels to Yakima, Washington, this Saturday to face Yakima Youth Rugby and Wenatchee’s Schoolhouse Rugby.