The Western Washington University rugby team launched their new era hosting the Velox Academy U23s from Victoria BC Saturday for a full day of 7s and 15s action.

Over 50 players took the field for the Vikings, many playing their first game of rugby, for two 15s games and three 7s contests. WWU has a new paid coaching staff and endowment funding a quasi-varsity plan. This was their first weekend of competition under the new regime.

The Vikings 7s team showed well, dominating the visitors 47-0. Quinton Willms (Earl Marriott HS), a former Canada U18 player, led the way with 28 points on two tries and six conversions for WWU.

Velox responded in the later games, winning the B and C matchups against less experienced WWU players.

The featured contest was a 15s match between the 1^st 15s of Western Washington and Velox Academy in a match of three 20-minute periods.

A determined Western team led 41-0 after two periods. Preston Mo (Shorewood HS) went over the tryline after some good work by the Viking forwards to open the scoring, and then Giovanni Trujillo (Liberty HS) scored after Robert Boenish (Whidbey Island HS) stole a  lineout.

Another overthrow in the lineout produced the third try of the day.

Matt Tiscornia (Burlington-Edison HS), Tyler Spears (North Kitsap HS), Jon Kaimer (Roosevelt HS), and Quinton Willms all scored tries and Gavri Grossman (South Delta HS) added two. Willms also kicked two conversions.

Player of the day was flanker Corey Klepp (Burlington-Edison HS) for his relentless work rate.

Another solid performance was turned in by Jake Romano (Santa Rosa HS).

Next up, the Vikings send two teams to Washington State University for the Palouse 7s.