We’re two days early with the USA Club Rugby Women’s Division II Ranking, which usually post on Wednesdays, but there were no DI league matches* last weekend. Division II, however, produced some interesting results that are worth an early review. *Seattle’s top side did have a game in the BC Premier and shut out Bayside 46-0, but that was the only DI-adjacent action last weekend.
RELATED: Feb. 3-4 Scores
With that said, the rankings haven’t actually moved. Those idle teams — Knoxville being the exception, which was addressed in last week’s ranking — still have more games and/or field time than those who are relatively young in their regular seasons. But that buffer is quickly diminishing and the top 12 spots will be vulnerable after this weekend’s impending games.
IN NORCAL, Sacramento (3-0) held off East Palo Alto in a 45-32 battle. Amazons lock Talenysita Veimau and fullback Natalie Romero scored two tries apiece, while Ola Ogan, Kim Shepherd and Hermina Tupou also dotted down. Emily Persson slotted five conversions. The Razorbacks were light on numbers but had impactful players like Fijian international Miri Marawa, USA Eagle Mona Tupou and USA U20 prospect Summer Latu on the pitch. That trio might return to Life West for the Women’s Premier League later in the spring.
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The Zons will face 2-0 Berkeley this Saturday, and the All Blues have yet to allow a point against this winter. On Saturday, beat Fresno 84-0 and saw five rookies score their first tries with the All Blues: Tiffany Chau, Karyme Flores, Maia Newton, Lyndley Parra and Anna Weier. • Also in NorCal, San Jose got on the board with a 38-19 win against Chico. Vanessa Shaffer led with 11 points scored on a try and three conversions. Note that, at the time of the print, the current standings have the Seahawks listed in first, but that’s not representative of who’s leading right now (San Jose lost to Berkeley 69-0).
THE CAROLINAS (standings) saw its only undefeated team, Atlanta 2.0 Selects, win a two-point match against unranked Southern Pines. Zoe Finelli (2) and Hannah Lentjes scored Atlanta’s tries, while Dani Fogg, Kaylin Cahill and Tatiana Rubow scored for the North Carolina team. Crucially, Amanda Thaler and Rhio Cox kicked a conversion apiece for the Selects (Stephanie Taylor added SoPi’s conversion) for the two-point win. It’s the second two-point loss for Southern Pines, which dropped a 7-5 contest to Charlotte in the fall. Carolinas is a 10-team league, so still plenty of games to go before the conference playoffs.
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IN TEXAS (standings), Little Rock (2-0) traveled to Houston Athletic (sHARC) for a 29-14 win inside AVEVA Stadium. Center Adrienne Yoder accounted for 14 points (2T, 2C), while flanker Tara Coffelt, No. 8 Lucy Owen and wing Brynne Hardman also dotted down. League-leading Dallas Quins (3-0) had its match against Round Rock postponed due to weather. The Harlequins are the team to chase in Texas and will face Little Rock on Feb. 17 in Arkansas. • Also in DII Texas action, the Dallas Reds beat Bay Area 15-0.
IN FLORIDA, Tampa Bay improved to 2-0 after a 55-0 win against Orlando. The Krewe moved the ball around well and saw seven different players score tries in addition to a penalty try): loose forwards Molly Douglas, Deborah Kinsella, Rachael Bradley; flyhalf Kelsey Cashem, two from inside center Nikki Snyder, fullback Sam Black and reserve Jordyn Zyngier. Cashem and reserve Robyn Oliveri (3) added the conversions. Tampa Bay will close the first half of its matrix season on Feb. 17 against Jacksonville (1-0).
GAMES TO WATCH
Berkeley vs. Sacramento takes top billing this Saturday and will be the first of two regular-season matches between the NorCal leaders. All Blues have home-field advantage but the Zons are coming off the type of match that delivers excellent feedback and means for improvement.
SoCal (standings) enjoyed a bye last weekend, but this Saturday it’s full-on with four matches. Los Angeles or Santa Monica will be the first team to three wins after they see each other on Saturday. Camp Pendleton, the reigning champ, is scheduled for Ventura, so we’re hoping to see that game come off. A couple of teams haven’t had a full 15s roster and have played down and/or accepted loaned players. So if you see a forfeit recorded in the standings, that doesn’t necessarily mean a game wasn’t played.