SEATTLE, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's rugby team held on for a 26-24 victory over the Seattle Saracens to open their 2022 slate.
In the final phase of the match, the Saracens opted to take a penalty kick from near the center line in an effort to capture the victory. The kick had the distance but it rang off the upright, preserving the 26-24 score line in favor of the 'Cats.
A majority of the scoring happened in the first half.
Seattle opened the scoring in the first, tacking on the conversion for the 7-0 lead. The Crimson and Black responded with consecutive tries.
Campbell Robb was the first over the try line for the Wildcats.
Lewis Hollidge added the first of three conversions, levelling the score at 7-7.
Next over for Central was the Vice Captain
Albert O'Shannessey. He took possession on an offload out of a ruck and plunged over the try line for a 14-7 lead after Hollidge's conversion.
The Saracens went back to work offensively and finally found their way in for the tying try, bringing the score to 14-14. Another try minutes later gave the Saracens their second lead of the fixture, 21-14.
Central responded with a try of their own, this time finding
Cam Nelson for the try. Hollidge's third conversion kept it level late in the opening stanza.
The restart saw the Wildcats threaten again, driving into the offensive third. Pushing deeper, the 'Cats attempted a grubber but it ran out of the try zone for a Saracens' 22-restart.
Seattle put the final points on the board in the first half, opting for a penalty kick in the waning moments. The kick sent the Saracens into halftime with a 24-21 lead.
Scoring was at a premium in the second half, culminating in just one try.. An early CWU attack was stopped at the try line as the Saracens were able to relieve pressure with a scrum. The ensuing attack from the Saracens pushed deep inside the Wildcats' defensive end before Hollidge gained space with a big boot down pitch.
Later in the second, the 'Cats received a scrum feed near the center line and pushed the attack into the Saracens' end. Central's defense stood tall again near their own try line as the Saracens vied for a go-ahead try. The Crimson and Black stole possession away in a ruck and Hollidge's leg once again relieved pressure from the 'Cats defense.
Trailing by three,
Noah Wright made his way into the try zone to give the Wildcats a 26-24 lead.
Searching for the lead, former CWU rugby player Ian Wright bolted through the Wildcats' line and drove deep into the Wildcats' defensive end. Central won the lineout and were able to relieve pressure with another kick.
In the final seconds, the Saracens were awarded a penalty and opted to attempt a penalty kick for the win. From nearly the center line, Jonny Reid's kick had the distance but clanged off the upright and fell forward.
The Wildcats are back in action on February 5 when they head to Bellingham to face Western Washington University. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
