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The Chicago Lions defeated the Chicago Griffins 45-17 in the final of the Rock Hard 7s in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to secure the last of the Midwest Sevens Series titles.

With the victory, the Lions drew level with Milwaukee at the top of the overall standings in the Series, although Milwaukee remain the top seeds going into next week’s Midwest Championships, having had more first placed finishes so far.

The Griffins, by virtue of finishing second, move into a tie for sixth with Cincinnati and secured a spot at the territorial tournament as well.

Only the top eight placed teams from the Series make the territorial tournament, and after Scioto Valley defeated Grand Rapids in the third place play-off, they remain fifth overall in the Series.

A tie-breaker of most tries scored, or most tournaments entered, will have to separate the C. Men and Coralville for the eighth seed.

“We’re getting it,” said Lions head coach Aaron Manheimer.

“We go through different phases in the summer. In June we play one version of touch and July a different version to transition off XVs. Right now we’re just looking to try to peak around the Midwest tournament.”

Manheimer said his team played well, with Mark Roberts making enough of his move from wing to prop to earn an MVP (most valuable player) nod with Jordan Highberger proving an able replacement on the wing and Ohio State student Mickey Franco going well at scrum half.

However, there’s another team out there waiting for them.

“We know Milwaukee is out there and they are very good,” said Manheimer.

“It’s been a good thing because it’s giving our team focus. A lot of times you can play in a tournament and think you’re really good. Milwaukee has given us a good reality check.”

Milwaukee, Chicago Lions, University of Dayton, Young Bloodz, Scioto Valley, Cincinnati and the Chicago Griffins are all in next week’s tournament. A tiebreaker will determine whether C. Men or Coralville become the eighth seed.

Belmont Shore repeat by the Sea

Belmont Shore record successive titles at the '7s By the Sea' tournament with a 32-7 win over the Santa Monica Dolphins in the final Saturday.

Belmont and Santa Monica were seeded one and two in the play offs respectively, after each had performed well in the qualifying round of play. Belmont finished the day with a 100% record from their four matches, while Santa Monica ultimately concluded theirs with three victories and one loss.

This was the 13th annual 7s By the Sea tournament, which is hosted at Elings Park in Santa Barbara by the Santa Barbara Grunions rugby club.

The field for the Open division – the highest competition level at the 7s By the Sea tournament – consisted of Arroyo Grande (Arroyo Grande), Olympic Club (San Francisco), Red Rhinos (San Pedro), and the Santa Barbara Grunions, as well as the Dolphins and Belmont Shore.

The tournament also played host to Social and U19 brackets.

Malibu were able to squeak out a win in the social division over the Olympic B side by a score of 15 - 14 and Cathedral HS (San Diego) defeated the Santa Monica U-19 squad 15-5 in the U19 final.

The Dolphin U19s came into the match off a tremendously competitive 28-21 sudden death overtime win over Kern (Bakersfield) that many considered the match of the day.

Teams from Whittier, Pasadena, Orange County and a B side from Arroyo Grande also participated in the social side. Santa Clarita (Santa Clarita) were the fourth and final team in the U-19 division.