SoCal Clubs Start Competing

03.26.2023HS Boys

Southern California club teams are finally get into the action.

This weekend we saw three of the top four SoCal clubs from last year playing.

The SOC Raptors visited Tempe in a non-conference game and came away with a 33-19 victory. The Raptors U16s beat Tempe's U16s 52-24. The Raptors Bombers side, basically their 2nd side of mostly U18s, beat Red Mountain.

SOC Raptors vs Tempe

No. 8 Clarence Chaney, flanker Roman Lee, wing Josh Viray, center Jacob Bower, and lock Gabe Morris all scored tries and Keegan Hannon converted four tries.

The game started with Tempe controlling the ball and territory, pressuring the Raptor goal line for the opening 15 minutes. The Raptors worked hard and did well to keep Tempe out before they were able to kick deep. Bryce Hollady's kick in fact rolled into touch inside the Tempe 22 for a 50-22. From there the Raptors put Chaney through and Hannon converted for a 7-0.

After that Tempe controlled the ball and territory for the next five minutes and were rewarded with a well-worked try in the corner. Up 7-5 SOC wrapped up the first half attacking the Tempe line. A try-saving tackle resulted in a Tempe lineout near their own line, but the throw went long and Lee collected the ball and was over. Hannon converted and it was 14-5 SOC Raptors at the break.

The start of the second half Raptors pinned Tempe in their 22, and after some strong pressure defensively, led by Jacob Bower, Viray intercepted a pass to score. Hannon converted and it was 21-5.

Tempe came back with some hard running and exploited a lapse in the open-field defense to race in to make it 21-12.

The Raptors responded with Hannon putting a kick through for Bower to collect and touch down. Hannon converted that one, as well, and it was 29-12.

Tempe answered with a converted try, but the Raptors closed the game out well, keeping possession and working Morris over with five minutes to go.

"Solid 15-man effort," said Coach Sam McMillan. "We have lots to work on, but Tempe, as we have come to respect and love them, provided a massive challenge; big, physical, and hard-running team. Just the game we needed as we head into our tough SoCal league next week, which we know will be a tough assignment the next seven to eight weeks."

The SOC U16s showed well by running out to a 38-7 lead and cruising to a 52-24 victory. The forwards carried well and were physically tough. Cole Bracken stole six turnovers while Raff Dalyrmple and Ethan de Silva produced some big carries. The halfback combo of Andy Flandro and Redmond Chelsey controlled the game well and Chelsey's kicking was very good. Tristan Gutman ran hard at center.

The Bs battled to a 14-12 lead in the first half against Red Mountain's combination U16/U18 team. The second half was much more SOC's half as newer players became more familiar with what they're doing.

"Overall just a great trip to Arizona," said McMillan. "This is our third year playing Tempe, in what is now an annual fixture; great rugby club, great host,and great group of players, coaches and families. For the Raptors, it's a fun trip, 40% of our players experienced their first rugby tour—overnight in a hotel, long drive from Orange County to Arizona in vans—up on Saturday morning, playing rugby, then back in the vans home at midnight on Saturday night."

Also this weekend, Belmont Shore and Thunder Rugby faced off in a pre-season matchup. It was an evenly-contested game for the first 15 minutes but Belmont Shore's pace and teamwork started to click and they won impressively 51-0.

"It was a collective effort from all players especially coming from their High School season," said Head Coach Johnny Pua. "It took one training the day before to get some kind of cohesiveness due to the rain closing our fields for a couple of weeks. We managed to target the main areas we needed to focus on to play the match."

Captain and prop Max Amasio was outstanding. Pua said his off-season work has made him stronger and fitter. "He was definitely a hard player to take down," said Pua.

Hooker Nathan Vargas has been defensively strong and plays with pace, while fullback Ryan Curtis showcased some excellent kicking to get his side out of trouble. Wing Blake Vera was at the right place at the right time throughout the game, involving himself in assisting in some counterattack tries.

"Although it's early in the season, we are excited about our growth and will continue to tighten up the areas we need to strengthen," said Pua.

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