Carlsbad defeated Servite 29-7 in the final of Southern California’s Varsity White competition Sunday afternoon, culminating an impressive run through the playoffs.

Carlsbad beat Los Alamitos and Murrieta Valley in the playoffs while Servite won big over Corona Centennial and La Jolla and looked set to challenge Carlsbad with their speed.

But Carlsbad was ready, defending well, controlling possession, and keying on the Servite danger men.

“Their #6 and #15 are two of the best players in the country,” said Carlsbad Head Coach Jacob Campbell. 

“We couldn’t get our rhythm going,” said Servite Head Coach Manoa Pouono. “Carlsbad played a great game of rugby. They counter-rucked well and poached us five or six times, and took advantage of a sloppy game by us.”

A frustrated Servite team then got into penalty trouble, and then card trouble, and by then were chasing the game.

“We needed an overall good game from everyone and we got it,” said Campbell. “We played composed rugby, and stuck to our way of playing. And we made sure their top players were contained.”

Led by Solomon Williams, who was again impressive running the attack, and with DJ Young, Andrew Mauga, and Alex Patolo all playing very well, Carlsbad put a cap on an excellent season.

Servite will be unhappy with their discipline issues, which put them shorthanded for most of the game.