ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Central Washington University men's rugby team took down the University of Arizona, 47-10.
"Good win today against a very talented, well-coached Arizona side," CWU Head Coach Todd Thornley said. "We were lucky at times they did not make us pay for some mistakes early in the game. We were out-muscled last week, so to see our boys respond and take them on at set-piece was pleasing. Slowly but surely we are getting rid of some Covid rust and are piecing together some good passages of rugby. I was immensely proud of the 10 underclassmen who slotted in and had great intent in nailing their individual roles. Lastly, our seniors, they have never lost at Tomlinson Stadium which does not even speak to the intangible impact they have had on our program. They will be sorely missed but have left a great foundation for us to continue to grow as a program. What a great group of young men they are, so thank you!"
After playing to a 27-27 draw last weekend at Brigham Young University, Central was firing on all cylinders against Arizona. Ivan Pula opened the scoring with a try in the game's third minute. Jack Tregoning knocked through his first conversion of the day, giving CWU a 7-0 lead.
Arizona nearly had the equalizer three minutes later. The Crimson and Black did not field the restart cleanly and led to a scrum feed for Arizona. The visiting Wildcats worked play wide but an offload was mishandled for a knock-on, removing the pressure. Arizona did find the scoreboard in the 15th minute with a penalty kick from Robert Figley. Threatening again in the 18th minute, another knock-on negated Arizona's offensive pressure and kept the game 7-3.
Central's Aiden Latter found the try zone in the 23rd minute. A knock-on from Arizona gave the Wildcats' possession and Latter capitalized, making it 14-3 after the conversion.
It was Jack Wendling who grounded the ball next for Central Washington. The Crimson and Black won a scrum away from Arizona in the 29th minute, allowing Wendling to find a gap in the defense and score.
At the half, Central Washington held a 21-3 lead. Arizona punched back quickly after the second half kick-off. Riley Kerr made his way in for a try following a lineout. Figley's conversion made cut Arizona's deficit to 11, 21-10.
Alex Cleary had a try held up in the 48th minute. Figley attempted a kick to clear the pressure, but it was blocked and recovered by Clearly. Arizona managed to hold up Central's forward to prevent the try.
Jake Szumski scored off a scrum in the 50th minute. The Wildcats drove forward before finding the fullback on the wing for the try and a 28-10 lead. Alex Mackenzie found his way in for a try in the 63rd minute, taking advantage off of a lineout set up by a kick from Tregoning.
Arizona held up a pair of tries in the 70th and 73rd minutes, keeping the score at 35-10.
Mackenzie scored his second try in the 74th minute, capitalizing with the man advantage after Arizona had a man sent off on a yellow card. Mitchell Hirose added the Crimson and Black's final try in the 79', taking an offload from Wendling and scampering up the right wing for a 47-10 lead.
Central takes on St. Mary's on April 10 at home in Ellensburg.
