The Glendale Merlins pulled off a bit of an upset this weekend in the Pacific Rugby Premiership, defeating the Santa Monica Dolphins 43-37 to move up in the standings to 4th.

The Merlins, who tied OMBAC last week, are now on a bit of a roll. Saturday against Santa Monica, they traded scored throughout the game. 

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Glendale No. 8 Alex Fitch scored in the opening minutes only to see prop Andrew Stock get that back. Maxwell Rodman converted for a 7-5 Santa Monica lead. Two minutes later Glendale scrumhalf Vita Makasini was over and Alex Walsh converted. But Santa Monica came back. Center Steve Stagg scored and Rodwell converted before adding a penalty to make it 17-12 Dolphins.

The Merlins turned the tables once more. Fitch and center Campbell Johnstone (both converted by Walsh) put Glendale ahead 26-17. Just on the stroke of halftime Rodman raced in, and converted, to bring it closer at 26-24.

Fitch got Glendale on the scoreboard once more in the second half (Walsh converting) but Santa Monica fullback Iain Herriott (Rodman converting) kept his side within two at 33-31. With about 12 minutes to go, Walsh went in for Glendale, and converted to give his side a 40-31 lead. 

The game tightened up after that, Rodman slotted a penalty to get his side within a converted try, but Walsh answered right back. Rodman added one more, but Santa Monica didn't have enough time to get that final try.

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Fitch was one of the heroes for Glendale with three tries, while Walsh added 18 points in the win. Now at 2-3-1, Glendale moves past OMBAC, who lost 45-15 to Belmont Shore. Shore, once against benefitting from the speedy attack of Pila Iongi, is now 5-1 in the PRP.

And so is Life West. The Gladiators had a lot of trouble with a feisty SFGG team. Life West led 45-7 at one point but let SFGG back into it before emerging 52-36 winners.

As a result, Life West remains in 1st with a 5-1 record and more bonus points than Belmont. These two teams seem destined for the championship match.

See Full Standings