It was a big weekend for the Santa Monica Rugby Club, as nearly every squad played important matches throughout the league.
The top tier men’s side, playing its first match of the 2008 national Rugby Super League season, won a close one at home against the visiting Old Puget Sound Beach rugby club from Seattle. Led up front with hard-nosed play by prop Adam Guerra, the Dolphins took possession of the game late, holding off OPSB’s furious attempts to climb back into the game following a 48th minute try by wing Kelly Serfoss.
Prior to the Super League match, Santa Monica Youth Rugby hosted another hugely successful round-robin tournament, this time in conjunction with the fast-growing Inner City Rugby League, featuring teams from throughout Southern California, ranging in age from U8/U10 co-ed to U16 boys and girls teams.
The Santa Monica women’s team traveled to Las Vegas, where they notched a lopsided win, 32-5, bringing their conference record to 3-2. Center Nikki Flagg scored two long-range tries in the effort. The Lady Dolphins next travel to Arizona in two weeks for games against Tucson and Scottsdale.
Another big win on the road came from the U19 boys, who won 58-12 in Santa Clarita. Bryon Williams scored a remarkable seven tries in the effort. The Santa Monica boys are now 4-0 in conference and are looking to make their first run at the playoffs later this spring.
The only down note of the weekend came as the Santa Monica Division I men’s side traveled to San Diego where they lost a conference game, bringing their record to 2-2. Prospects are looking up, however, as the D1 side hosts Huntington Beach this Saturday at Daniel Webster Middle School, looking to keep their own playoff hopes alive against a team they beat in the pre-season. Kick-off is at 1 p.m.
