Sundown 7s

Coalition Tackles New Format to Go 14-0 and Win Sundown 7’s

The Cleveland Rugby Coalition took to the road this past weekend, travelling to Youngstown, OH to play in the Youngstown Steel Valley Sundown 7’s rugby tournament. Sundown 7’s saw the Coalition take on Columbus Women’s Rugby Club, the Cleveland Iron Maidens, and the hosts, Steel Valley Women’s Rugby in a challenging Queen of the Mountain style of play. In a format designed to make each successive match harder to encourage parity, the Coalition went 14-0 to secure another Championship trophy and stay unbeaten on the summer.

The Coalition opened the first round of play against Columbus Women’s Rugby, a rematch of the final from Rock n Roll 7’s in Mentor two weekends ago. Unlike the previous matchup the Coalition came out firing from the start, quickly putting points on the board in the abbreviated 7-minute match. Alexis Barnes put in two tries and the Coalition would run away with the opener 29-0.

Alexis Barnes put in two tries and the Coalition would run away with the opener 29-0.

With Queen of the Mountain rules in effect the Coalition got a 3-minute break before taking on their next opponent, the Cleveland iron Maidens. Building on their momentum from the previous game, the Coalition set out to prove they were the best team in Cleveland. MarcayaBailous found the try zone twice in two minutes leading the Coalition to a 26-0 victory over their in-town rivals.

After another short 3-minute break the Coalition took on the fresh and rested hosts, Youngstown Steel Valley Rugby in their toughest match of the tournament. Steel Valley’s fresh legs and slower style of play posed some early problems for the Coalition who eventually broke through to put in the only try of the match, winning 5-0.

With the winner stays format and only 3 minutes between games the Coalitions depth and coaching decisions were put to the test in the back half of round one. Taking on Columbus for the second time found the Coalition spreading the ball wide to Dakota Steed who used her speed to score on the edges. A try saving chase down on the last play of the game by Vanessa Marsh helped keep the score sheet clean and the Coalition would win by a score of 20-0.

The second match up against the Maidens saw multiple players trying new positions as Coach Dan Prater tried to roll through this lineup to keep fresh bodies on the field. His decisions paid off as the Coalition never looked tired in their 15-0 win over the Maidens.

The last match of Round one found the Coalition once again tested by the hosts Steel Valley. In a tightly contested back and forth match the Coalition would give up their only try on the day, letting Steel Valley get on the board to tie up the game at 7 all. With ties going to drop kicks to determine a winner Captain Maura Fibbi and Becky Tent drilled their kicks through the uprights to give the Coalition the win and remain unbeaten though round one.

Captain Maura Fibbi and Becky Tent drilled their kicks through the uprights to give the Coalition the win and remain unbeaten though round one.

Round two began 15 minutes later and despite having played triple the matches of any other team at the tournament the Coalition shut out opponents in all five matches and ran the table once again, showcasing their depth and skill. The Coalition utilized strong individual and team defense to keep the score sheet clean, with standout sweep Kaela Thompson organizing from the back and stopping anyone who managed to break the line. Hannah Long showcased the endless bounds of her talent with highlight reel tackles, no look passes, and ability to control the contact, while Jordan Costy turned corners and heads on the outside with her speed and skill. Ending the second round 5-0 all but ensured that the Coalition would walk away with the title, but never leaving anything to chance Coach Prater and the Coalition went looks towards round three with hungry eyes.

“Hannah Long showcased the endless bounds of her talent with highlight reel tackles, no look passes, and ability to control the contact.”

Round three saw the Coalition open up against the Iron Maidens in another battle of Cleveland teams. After giving up a penalty right on their 5 meter line the Coalition went into lockdown mode with stout goal line defense that saw the Coalition repel several chances by the Maidens. By communicating and winning the physicality battle the Coalition preserved the shut out with Dakota Steed holding up the ball in the try zone to end the match. Fresh legs in the form of SaherHamdan, arriving late after a successful week at a high level USA Rugby Academy Camp, helped propel the Coalition late in the night, both as a key piece of the goal line defense and though her ability to create offense for herself and others. Alexis Beach, who broke the line several times on the night, would finally find the try zone twice in round three, pacing the Coalitions offense, while Kelly Gaydosh provided steady scrummagaing and great support running on the night. Closing up round three at 3-0 left the Coalition as the clear champions, outscoring opponents 230-7, and once again ending another tournament unbeaten.