(Rugby Action Photo)

The Hayward Griffins from the east side of the San Francisco Bay Area have clinched their first Division I national championship with a storming 30-16 victory over the Austin Blacks.

Hayward put the pedal to the metal in the second forty to win the title Sunday in San Diego.

The Griffins started like a rodeo bull out of the shute and quickly got on the board, indeed they led from start to finish and shut out the Blacks in the second half.

Hayward led 17-16 at halftime after building a handy lead early on only to see Austin play their way back into contention. A Glenn Blackmore penalty goal right on halftime gave the Blacks some hope, but those hopes were dashed well and truly as Hayward went about the business of snuffing out any Austin momentum for the remainder of the match while adding another 13 points to their own tally.

Semisi Finau of Hayward earned the Division I Most Valuable Player honors for his strong and consistent performance throughout the weekend.

Earlier, in the DI consolation game, the Olympic Club did a number on the Cincinnati Wolfhounds winning 56-3.