County ruggers edge Redwood Empire

In one of the hardest hitting games since the rebirth of the Colusa County Rugby Football Club, the men from the county beat Redwood Empire 17-10 on Saturday in Santa Rosa.

County's forwards beat Redwood all day in line-outs and scrums, driving them back nearly every time the scrum was engaged, player-coach Christian Cowsert said.

The first try of the game went Redwood's way but they missed the kick for a 5-0 lead.

County rallied back, catching a break when Redwood didn't release the ball after a tackle and the referee awarded a penalty try for County. The kick was good and County took a 7-5 lead.

With about three minutes left in the first half Juan Llamas scored on a pick and jam, giving County a 12-5 after a missed kick.

Redwood pulled within two points midway through the second half but County slowly pushed down field, winning scrum after scrum, Cowsert said.

Juan Loza tacked on an insurance try with seven minutes left in the game off a maul turned ruck.

The game ended with five minutes remaining after a Redwood player threw a punch, earning himself a red card.

County (2-0) hosts Shasta at Egling Middle School in Colusa at 1 p.m Saturday.