The third and last round of the 2016 North American League (NAL) for Underwater Rugby was played this past weekend August 20-21 in Toronto, Canada during the 14th NA UW Rugby Tournament.
Club Toronto Underwater Rugby hosted the event in a new and spectacular venue just in front of Lake Ontario. The Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool.
The Rugby weekend started with a Referee’s clinic by CMAS Referees Kajsa and Manuel Tito de Morais who joined the North American League for the second time, followed by a short friendly game on Friday night.
Saturday competition began with a Round Robin between the two host teams (Toronto Raccoons and Toronto Seals), Club Camo from Montreal and two teams from the US: the defending Champion NUWR, and the runner-up club in the NAL League, the New Jersey Hammerheads both from Newark, New Jersey. The other US team Boston Narwhals cancelled their participation.
The American teams dominated the round robin. NUWR won all their games followed by the NJ Hammerheads over Club CAMO from Montreal and the Toronto teams.
After a nice day of UW rugby the event moved to the beach on Lake Ontario for a delicious picnic animated by magician Alberto who is a key player of the Toronto Club.
Sunday morning began with the semifianls between NUWR and Toronto Racoons on which NUWR confirmed their spot in the final. Club CAMO played against the NJ Hammerheads losing 2-4 so the two canadian teams would play for the 3rd place game while the two visiting teams from the US will play the final game as a re-match of the Florida final earlier this year.
Club CAMO beat the Toronto Raccons 4-2, securing the 3rd place on an heroic game with only seven players and after being down on the score twice 0-1 and 1-2. The final game was as always vibrant but this time the victory was for NUWR over the NJ Hammerheads by 4-1.
All the results of the 14th NA UWR tournament here
4th & 5th Place – Toronto Raccoons & Toronto Seals
3rd Place – CAMO (Montreal, QC)
2nd Place – New Jersey Hammerheads (Newark, NJ)
1st Place – NUWR (Newark, NJ)
The 14th North American Tournament was the last round of the 2016 Season of the North American League. NUWR became the best US team of the League just over the NJ Hammerheads in second place, while Club CAMO ended in 3rd place being the best canadian team of the League.
The new Season 2016-17 will have four rounds starting October 22-23, with the 15th North American UW Rugby Tournament – Newark 2016. Invitation to follow
USA Underwater Rugby - NAL LEAGUE 