SoCal: Mustangs, Raptors Make Moves
SoCal: Mustangs, Raptors Make Moves
It's tightening up in the SoCal Youth Rugby Boys HS Club league.
The San Diego Mustangs beat Belmont Shore 29-14—details below—and that's got people talking.
Meanwhile, Try-Time has inched their way into third in the league at 3-1. Now, there are some big games coming up for Try Time, as they will face the Mustangs and SOC Raptors.
And the Ratpros are 4th at 3-2 after a 48-21 defeat of OMBAC.
SOC got six tries from three backs with center Clarence Chaney, wing Will Briggs, and fullback Ke'ahlohi Hoopi each scoring a pair. Flanker Waylon Davis and No. 8 Austin Diaz also touched down, with Diaz getting a conversion and Redmond Chelsey notching three.
Missing some players due to spring break and injuries, the Raptors moved some players around and put in a good team performance. Hoopi, Briggs, Red Chelsey, Nolan Abeyta, and Troi Tafaauo all stepped up nicely as the Raptors stopped a two-game losing streak.
Discipline remains an issue as the Raptors gave up over 30 penalties; one reason OMBAc got 21 points.
Chelsey showed well at flyhalf and Briggs at wing was impressive.
"As we progress, our goal is to establish depth, and we are developing that really well, for a tough stretch in May," said Head Coach Sam McMIllan.
| SoCal YR Boys D1 | W | L | T | PA | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| San Diego Mustangs | 5 | 0 | 0 | 165 | 75 | 90 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
| Belmont Shore | 4 | 1 | 0 | 210 | 54 | 156 | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Try Time | 3 | 1 | 0 | 112 | 111 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| South OC Raptors | 3 | 2 | 0 | 191 | 124 | 67 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| OMBAC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 74 | 95 | -21 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Thunder Rugby | 1 | 4 | 0 | 116 | 124 | -8 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Rancho Cucamonga Rebels | 1 | 4 | 0 | 60 | 202 | -142 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Back Bay | 0 | 5 | 0 | 53 | 196 | -143 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
The Mustangs won the rematch of the 2023 National HS Club final on a windy day in La Jolla., taking the game 29-14.
Belmont showed their hand early by sending four big counter-ruckers into the opening breakdown.
The Mustangs had trouble maintaining possession but eventually earned a penalty near midfield. They kicked to the corner, mauled, and after two hard forward carries, Mustang scrumhalf Spencer Huntley sniped over. He converted, as well, and it was 7-0.
Belmont Shore was penalized again after the restart, and this time Huntley opted for posts and put the kick over.
Belmont got some possession after that and powered over with their big forwards. With Lenny Ibarra’s conversion it was 10-7. The Mustangs responded by spinning the ball wide; quick hands created an overlap for wing Braydon Scott to exploit. Huntley converted and it was 17-7 at halftime.
Belmont enjoyed success all day in the midfield only to lose possession when they threatened inside the Mustangs 22. Ten minutes into the second half, Mustangs returned to penalty, kick to touch, maul, and tight forward carries. This time flyhalf Rocco Pool sent it wide to Scott, who fought his way through for his second try. Huntley again converted to make it 24-7.
Belmont came back to pressure and powered over. But at 24-14 they still had work to do. With under 10 minutes left, and Belmont’s defense on the front foot looking for those key tries. But when Mustangs got the ball back, flyhalf Pool exploited the rush defense by nudging a beautiful grubber into the corner, where Mustang wing Gunnar Paul raced in to touch it down.
“We try and convince the boys that all league games have equal value, but they know that some games are bigger than others,” said Mustangs Head Coach Ramon Samaniego. “Our defense ruled the day for us, and flanker Kai Kaufield, and center Sam Violet led their respective groups in helping to contain Belmont’s strong attack. Much credit to our two technical coaches, Ethan Willis, and Ian Denham for the perfect game plan.”
