Costa Ruggers score big, 55-5, over Redondo’s debut game of rugby program!
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The Mira Costa Mustang Rugby Team opened the 2018 campaign with a complete dismantling of their crosstown rivals from Redondo Union HS. After graduating 13 of their starting 15 from last year, the Mustangs have had to seriously rebuild their Varsity team. The new squad took the short drive to Redondo, to face the Seahawks in their first ever Varsity Rugby match.
The match started out slow, a bit like two boxers trying to assess their opponent, as the two sides traded possessions around midfield numerous times. The scoring finally opened ten minutes into the contest when Senior Captain Number 8, Jonah Tavai, picked the ball off a scrum and rambled 36 meters for the opening Try. That’s all that was needed to open the flood gates, as the Mustangs then piled on the points. Backs Captain, Outside Center, Kaden Loversky converted to make it 7-0.
Following the kickoff, Tavai took the ball, passed to Lock Max Stewartson who made a nifty run and while being tackled offloaded to a streaking Loversky who found paydirt and then converted his own Try. A few minutes later it was Tavai, again this time from 36 meters out, as he took advantage of 4 beautiful passes to get the overlap. Loversky converted.
The Mustangs found the Try Zone soon after as Inside Center Slade Gordon set up newcomer, Wing, Jackson Fischer for his first ever Try earning him the right to “drink from the boot” in fine rugby tradition. Not long after that Tavai scored from 22 meters out. That was followed up by a tremendous effort by Prop Reed Vabrey to secure a loose ball driving to the Seahawk one meter line where Hooker Jerum Cortez finished the play for the score.
The Redondo side finally got on the board with a great kickoff and, taking advantage of a Costa miscue, the Seahawks touched the ball down for the first points in the history of the program. However, Loversky made sure that their celebration was cut short as he took a ball during some very loose play and completely outmaneuvered the entire Seahawk defense for another Mustang score. Forward’s Captain, Flanker, Rob Fiene refused to be shut out of the scoring as he sped 28 meters for a score. In fitting fashion, with time expired, Tavai got one more score to make the final 55-5. The Mustangs are 1-0 with a huge showdown at St. John Bosco Saturday (1-13-18) for a 9am kickoff.
Costa Old Boys Win 4th Annual Costa Touch Rugby Classic!
The Mira Costa Pioneers (the first ever Mira Costa Rugby Team) won the 4th Annual Mira Costa Touch Rugby Classic. Jahalni Tavai, Joe Anderson, Justus Tavai, Harrison Morrow, Justin Johnson, Brandon Mills and Harrison Dulgarian managed to defeat a very strong side from Long Beach State as well as a talented side from Los Angeles Rugby Club. The Mira Costa Mustangs fought hard throughout the tournament but were unable to get by the more experienced Old Boys from Mira Costa. We’d like to thank the LA Royals and all those that came out. It was a great time had by all and we look forward to the 5th edition next year!