Saipan Ruggers win Guam International Tournament

Saipan convincingly emerged as champions of the 4th Annual Guam True Grit International Rugby Tournament last weekend, winning all six of its matches by combined scores of 182-5.

Saipan crushed every team it took the field against and dominated the play so convincingly that there was incredibly only one try scored against the team the entire tournament.

Saturday saw Saipan take the field against teams from Australia, Guam and Japan emerging as victors in all three games with the final scores Saipan 32, Whitsunday Raiders (Sydney) 0/ Saipan 26, Guam 5/ and finally Saipan 43, Zenkai Beers (Tokyo) 0.

Saturday also ended with the pre-tournament heavily-favored Para Todu team from Guam also undefeated, setting up a big Sunday show down between Saipan and Para Todu.

Saipan’s first game Sunday was a warm-up demolishing of the Seoul Barbarians 43-0. Good defensive efforts by Dale Roberts, Greg Koebel and Kelly McGill set up opportunities for numerous scores by Faannunu Ngungutau, Semisi Beduvua, Viliami Setefano, Amani Lalabelevu, Stan Lakopo and Sam Malo.

In the final match of the preliminary pool-play, Saipan met mighty Para Todu. Made up of a formidable combination of seasoned, savvy veterans and young, quick speedsters, Para Todu was by far Saipan’s sternest test of the tournament.

However, Saipan got a big lead early, thanks in large part to the almost dementedly aggressive play of its big forwards Faaea Talamotu, Bruce Berline, Eka Veamahatau, Kelly McGill and Dave Banes. The fitter, but smaller Para Todu appeared reluctant to hold the ball for long as the Saipan pack relentlessly pursued them, tackling hard. The final score was 21-0 and Saipan had finished the pool play at 5-0.

Even through Para Todu had already lost to the Saipan team, they still had the second best pool-play record and so they had to play Saipan once more-this time for the championship.

The Guam crowd remained loyal to their Para Todu side, but many had to finally admit that the Saipan side looked to be the favorite.

Following the opening kick-off, Saipan’s first try came when the ball pitched to the right side. Using a combination of power to run over tacklers, and timing, Saipan forwards of Faaea Talamotu, Bruce Berline, Kelly McGill and Abe Mala’atoaa took the ball across the line for the try. Score 7-0.

Later in the first half, with Para Todu pinned back to their end line, a penalty was called, giving the ball to Saipan. Saipan tried a dummy pass and when that did not work powered the ball in through the Para Todu players with Eka Veamahatau leading the way. The conversion was good, and the score became 14-0 and remained that was at the half.

In the second half, Para Todu’s almost scored when Billy Chennaux got free up the right side with only one defensive player to beat. But that player was the speediest man in the Northern Mariana Islands, Stan Iakopo. Chennaux kicked the ball past Iakopo, but Stan beat him to the ball, recovered it and ended the scoring threat.

As the game progressed, smart play from the back line resulted in a final “insurance” try by Semisi Beduvua. Saipan then coasted to a 17-0 victory and celebrated its championship with a beer or two at the pitch with all the other teams.

The Saipan side consisted of Dale Roberts, Amani Lalabelevu, Stan Iakopo, Bruce Berline, Sam Malo, Abe Mala’atoaa, Faaea Ngungtau, Semisi Beduvua, David Banes, Greg Koebel, Viliami Setefano, Kelly McGill and Faaea Talalemotu. All team members except Koebel and Berline scored at least one try during the tournament.

The Saipan Rugby Football Club thanks its chief and long-time sponsor CGU Insurance for its continued support as well as AON Insurance for the donation of airfare to Guam for some of the Saipan players. The club welcomes all those interested in learning about and playing the exciting sport of rugby to attend its practices at the American Memorial Park every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00pm.