Belmont Shore have kept their faint finals hopes alive with a 54-19 win over Santa Monica. However, a combination of other results or another slip could see Belmont Shore eliminated next weekend.
Knowing that they needed a result to stay alive Belmont Shore went on a 26-0 run to blow open the match in the first half. It took a dozen minutes for them to get the board–for all their shortcomings this year Santa Monica have been in matches, especially early–when scrumhalf Peteru Nifo scored. Sam Lilley would add a second about ten minutes later than then two from wing Isimeli Ratumaimuri increased the lead.
The Dolphins were able to grab a try back from Philip Lydeard to make it 26-5 at the break. Lydeard has been one of Santa Monica’s best players all year and scoring was a just reward.
In the second half another try from Lilley followed by a try from Jesse Mechekak extended the lead to 40-5. Luis De La Torre would score for Santa Monica in response. The teams would continue to trade tries with Mechekak scoring his second for Belmont Shore followed by a try from Ludovic Thompas for Santa Monica. Belmont Shore had the last word with a try from Andy Jackson.
Belmont Shore will play the Denver Barbarians next weekend while Santa Monica goes to OMBAC.
Belmont Shore
Tries: Nifo, Lilley (2), Ratamaimuri (2), Mechekak (2), Jackson
Conversions: Rollinson (7)
Santa Monica
Tries: Lydeard, De La Torre, Thomas
Conversions: Matehaere (2)
