The Mira Costa Mustang Rugby team took the pitch at home in a battle for first place against a very physical View Park Prep side in the Southern California Varsity White division.

 The Mustangs played with three starters in the backline (Justus Tavai was playing in the National Polynesian All Star Football game, and wing Kevin Russell and fullback Sean Walker were also not able to play). Playing against a dangerous albeit somewhat inexperienced View Park team, Mira Costa needed to be careful with the ball, but didn’t do that. Playing a little fast and loose with their passing stung the Mustangs early with three turnovers in the first five minutes, the third one resulting in a long run in for a try for View Park.

Trailing 0-5, Mira Costa settled down a little and controlled possession better. The Mustang forwards worked the ball down the field and then No. 8 Jonah Tavai sent a grubber kick between two defenders and then raced after it to dive on the ball for a brilliant try.

With the conversion, Mira Costa took the lead 7-5, and started to take control.

Forwards captain and lock Justin Johnson took the tap on a penalty and went over from eight meters out. Then center Jemal Williams burst through and with Jonah Tavai’s conversion made it 19-5.

And from the restart Mira Costa surged on to set up prop Jordan Fischer for a rambling 32-meter run, carrying a tackler over the line to make it, with Tavai’s conversions, 26-5. The first-half flood didn’t end there, as solid ball recycling from the Mira Costa forwards allowed fullback Jake Kirst to pick up and score.

View Park looked for the comeback to begin in the second half but the Mustangs galloped on. Scrumhalf Harrison Dulgarian darted in for a try from six meters out when he caught View Park slow to prepare for the for a quick tap. Then two long-range scores - Tavai exploded through the line for 48 meters, and outside center Justin Goring raced in from 67 ethers out for his first try for the program.

Down 52-5 View Park rebounded enough to get three tries in the final eight minutes, showcasing their pace and tenacity to get the four-try bonus point.

Mira Costa got a big game once again from Jonah Tavai at No. 8, but in addition flyhalf Brandon Espeso did a very nice job with his distribution in setting up his teammates. Flanker Gunnar Kissman was outstanding putting pressure on the View Park backs.

So a 52-22 win for Mira Costa and a 3-0 record in the Varsity White Los Angeles Conference. View Park dropped to 1-2, while St. John Bosco was file this weekend, but sits at 2-0 after last week’s win over Palos Verdes.