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February 6, 2014
NORTH COAST
Torrey Pines Varsity Rugby Club finishes season undefeated with 41-12 victory over La Costa Canyon BY TIM PICKWELL A physical La Costa Canyon Varsity Rugby team took its first loss of the season, 41-12, Feb. 2 at the hands of a more experienced, tactical Torrey Pines Varsity Club. Torrey Pines trailed for the first time all season, after LCC Flanker Jake Galloway scored over the middle five minutes into the match (kick failed). But, Torrey Pines Head Coach Matty Sandoval patiently used the skills of Senior Fly Half Alec Mills who connected on four consecutive penalty kicks over the next 20 minutes to put Torrey Pines ahead, 12-5. Mills dealt with swirling winds at the Torrey Pines Football Stadium to nail kicks of 25, 32 and 25 yards, along with a point-blank shot between the posts. The Torrey Pines squad is 6-0, and the No. 1 seed from the San Diego County “White Division” in Southern California Youth Rugby. Torrey Pines will host the No. 2 seed, Long Beach Wilson, next week in the first round of the playoffs. LCC (5-1-1) will face Desert Sands (7-0). The Southern California Youth Rugby High School Championships for all divisions (Red, White, Blue) will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at Cathedral Catholic High School. For more see this story under “Sports” at www.delmartimes.net.
Torrey Pines JV Rugby Club knocks undefeated LCC off perch
BY TIM PICKWELL The Southern California High School Youth Rugby League, with 35 teams, is still in its infancy. Recognizing a need to attract players and to teach inexperienced older players about the game, League rules permit “Junior Varsity” squads to play up to five juniors, and even inexperienced seniors. The Torrey Pines JV, on the other hand, carries 21 freshman and sophomores — which led to its first loss in four years at San Pasqual in January, when the shorthanded Falcons played a 10 v. 10 match, and half the Eagles team was juniors. The Falcons barely lost, 2219, but the lesson was learned. The well-stocked Torrey Pines Varsity then sent three reinforcements to round out the JV ranks for the final two matches of the season: juniors Jaun Pawluszek, Gunnar Moseman, and Dylan Fetzer. Would it be enough against undefeated La Costa Canyon on Feb. 2 at Torrey Pines Stadium? LCC plays five juniors, and had whacked San Pasqual by 40 points two weeks earlier. Yes. With Torrey Pines JV’s sophomore leader Brandon Cole scoring and breaking long runs up the middle, the junior additions played key roles in shoring up the JV ranks, and helped the squad defeat LCC, 21-19, in a nail biter. Cole was named “Man-of-the-Match.” Freshman flyhalf Lucas Cruz had three conversions (point-after-attempts) — which turned out to be the difference in the tough match. Cruz was also instrumental with a deceptive run and a “dummy” (i.e. fake) 20 minutes into the match, which allowed him to pitch to Pawluszek for the team’s first try. Moseman helped shore up the wing position on the other side, but it was the play of flanker Dylan Fetzer that impressed Head Coach William “Chief” Leversee. “He was hard-nosed and aggressive all day. Dylan was a real defensive force for us in
(Above) Torrey Pines Senior Flanker Dwayne Hines is tackled by LCC’s Fly Half Brennan O’Connor. Photo/Susie Talman. (Above) Pierre Pretorious drags three La Costa Canyon players during the Torrey Pines Varsity Rugby Club’s 41-12 win over LCC. Photo/Aubrey Hill. (Left) Torrey Pines JV flyhalf Lucas Cruz gets ready to stiff-arm La Costa Canyon tackler Steven Lake. Teammates Gunnar Moseman (left) and Chris Vilchis (center) get ready to support. In addition to this run, Cruz had three critical conversions (pointafter-attempts) on the day that were the difference in TP’s 21-19 victory. Photo/ Aubrey Hill. the middle. We’re glad to have him.” Sophomore center Alec Packer also scored for Torrey Pines, while big (230 LB) sophomore prop Cole Maes-Valley was a big force in the rucks and scrums for the Falcons. The Torrey Pines JV finishes No. 2 in the San Diego White Division to LCC, however. Both teams finished, 5-1, but LCC won on standings points, 26-25. Torrey Pines will Palos Verdes (the No.1 seed from Los Angeles) next week for the first round of the playoffs, while the LCC Junior Varsity will probably face undefeated Desert Sands.