Boys All-Stars 2008
The Washington Youth Rugby Ravens boys team won the LAU tournament in Portland in July against Oregon and Montana. A come-from-behind victory over Oregon was the curtain-raiser for the North American 4 professional game held there July 10, and the Ravens followed it up with two more convincing victories.

Details on the Oregon game are below, along with some photos, all courtesy of www.erugbynews.com

(Click on photos for larger image)






July 10, 2008 - A late comeback saw the Washington U19 boys team defeat the Oregon U19s 24-20 in the NA4 curtain-raiser in Gresham, Ore. Thursday.
 
 Showcasing greater skill with the ball and certainly some adventure out wide, Oregon raced out to a 15-0 lead in the first half. Center Malakai Unga was the chief beneficiary. The hard-running midfielder was an effective distributor for Oregon, but he also scored two tries in the first half.
 
 "They burned us early," said Washington head coach Pete Sullivan. "Our turnovers hurt us and we talked about it at halftime. We just weren't secure enough with the ball. You have to respect your own possession."
 
 Getting players to the breakdown allowed Washington to put pressure on the Oregon side. With better continuity they were able to give better ball to their backs, who started to look much more dangerous. Still, turnovers dogged the Washington team, putting them behind 20-7 midway through the second half. After their fourth try Oregon battled back to the Washington line, but Washington held, and then attack the length of the field, eventually scoring a try to make it 20-14.
 
 "That was a big one," said Oregon coach Jerry Baldocchi. "It was a big turnaround and I think changed the game. Our guys played well, but in the end I think the other team wanted it more."
 
 With co-captain Dan Minner leading the way at flanker Washington pressed their advantage. flyhalf/center Paul Smith scored twice and fullback Jesse Fox added one to close the gap to 20-19. Bill Minter missed the conversion in front of the posts that would have put his side on top, but moments later Smith did the job for him, snaking through the Oregon line for the winning try.
 
 For Oregon it was a case of missed opportunities, missed tackles late, and missed conversions, as both teams scored four tries but Minters two conversions for Washington proved the difference.
 
 Both teams will face off again Friday in part of a series of all-star matches this weekend.
 
 (Washington plays as the Pacific Northwest Loggers, but the team consisted entirely of players from Washington.)
 
 Washington 24
 Tries: Smith 3, Fox
 Convs: Minter 2
 
 Oregon
 Tries: Unga 2, Miller, Other