Playoffs for Sierra rugby in inaugural campaign

The Sierra College club rugby team beat Santa Rosa Junior College 17-5 Saturday.Santa Rosa scored the first try but Sierra answered with a try by Luke Sauser. In the 30th minute, JB Bloomfield was red-carded for a dangerous tackle and Sierra played the remainder of the match one man down. The Wolverines responded well with second-half tries by Steve Kenny and Leki Fuapau. Brian Weddle, playing one of his best games at fullback converted one try.The victory, along with Cal Maritime's defeat of Santa Clara, allowed Sierra to hang onto their second place finish and move on to the four-team Pacific Coast playoffs to be played at Cal Maritime April 2-3. Three of these teams will then move onto the National USA Rugby Sweet 16 to be played near Orlando April 17-18.The defeat of Santa Rosa JC, the only other junior college in collegiate Division II rugby, was the result of relentless defensive pressure that kept Santa Rosa from running the ball. Reaching the Pacific Coast playoffs in its first year of D-II play is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the dedication of the players in the rugby club at Sierra. There are more than 40 players participating this year. In the Pacific playoffs, the Wolverines will face Snow College of Utah and Western Oregon University from Monmouth, Ore.