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THE University of Guam rugby field was filled with intense, hard-hitting action as games in the Guam Rugby Sevens Men’s League got underway.
With several games played on the day, fans in attendance got their fair share of excitement. In one of the closest matches of the day, Para Todu Rugby Club Black took on Southern. At the end of a hard-fought match, Para Todu walked away with a 12-5 victory over their opponents.
In the opening minutes of the match, Para Todu Black put on a great display of teamwork and communication that eventually paid off. Four minutes into the game, Mike McKinney powered his way through four Southern players to convert the game’s first try. On the ensuing play, Vinson “Vinny” Calvo converted a kick to put his team up 7-0.
Both teams continued to bang up one another while playing tremendous defense. Southern was looking to either trim their deficit or tie the game before the halftime signal was blown. However, Para Todu would have none of that and prevented anything from producing for Southern. Heading into the short break, Para Todu clung on to a seven-point lead.
After regrouping at the break, Southern returned in the second half with a different strategy that worked. Less than five minutes into the half, Gerard Aguon used his speed and strength to get into the try zone and narrow his team’s deficit. A missed conversion allowed Para Todu to hold on to a 7-5 lead.
With the minutes winding down, both teams turned up the pace of the game. Southern did everything they could to take their first lead of the game. However, a crucial turnover gave Para Todu possession of the ball with less than three minutes left. After running multiple phases, Para Todu was able to score on a try from Calvo to increase their lead to 12-5. The try proved to be enough as time on the clock expired to give Para Todu Black the victory.
In their second match of the day, Para Todu Black picked up a huge 41-0 shutout victory over Halu’u. Guam Rugby Sevens action will resume Sunday, July 22.
Other results
- Men's – Para Todu Red defeated GSPN, 27-14; Da Doks defeated Young Guns, 17-14; South Side Colts shutout Halu’u 27-0; Young Guns defeated Para Todu Red, 24-14; South Side Colts defeated GSPN, 24-5; and Southern defeated Da Doks, 39-12.
- Women's – Para Todu Red defeated Blue Comrades, 17-7; Ziggies defeated Southern Ladies, 12-10; Para Todu Red defeated GRC Ladies, 20-5; Para Todu Black defeated Blue Comrades, 20-5; and Para Todu Red shutout Ziggies 31-0.
