Los Al Rugby Club is back on the road to reclaim their White Division Championship Title after losing in the final to a very powerful La Jolla team last year. They have doubled in numbers from last year but not quite enough to form a full JV & Varsity teams. Therefore, their Varsity team consists of several freshmen and sophomores but also have 10 experienced returners from last season.
After a long winter break they opened up their season on Jan. 4 against Saddleback Valley Christian who was fierce and technical in first 20 mins of the game pinning Los Al in their own 22. They were able to cap only 2 Trys (scores) in the first half going into the half at 12-0. After regrouping the boys took charge and put up 35 points in the second half and finished the game 47-0.
Last week they played California High of Whittier. Los Al won 75-0. Although the score didn’t show it, California put up a fight the entire match. They are a first year team with brand new players but they never gave up. After the match both teams got together for a team pic (attached) and fellowshipped over tamales provided by California High. That is the true spirit of rugby.
This season Los Al has a small forward pack being anchored by Senior flanker Jonah Charlton, Senior #8 Ken Sale, Junior prop Darren Fauni and Senior HS All-American Aizak Fido, The back line consists of a young scrum-half Sophomore Joseph Nuez, Senior fly-half Elijah Tuialii and Senior HS All-American center Mavaeganailetai Roberts.
Los Al has a Girls 7’s team this year. Most of the girls are brand new to rugby except Senior forward Alexis Villagran who plays Club with South Bay Spartans. Sophomores Asialeata Meni and Jersey Lauti have played a little bit of club rugby before and were excited to play for their high school. It was a rough start with only 4-5 girls attending practices. All the girls play other sports like soccer, volleyball and wrestling. Los Al won both games played against View Park and Lakewood at the Belmont 7s Friendlies in December. They also won both games against Great Oak & Roosevelt at the SilverLakes 7’s in Norco right before Christmas. The only challenge they’ve had so far has been against Carson High’s Girls. All of them play for South Bay Spartans Club year round. They have 6 HS All-Americans on their team and they are disciplined, physical, and strong. Los Al’s girls were no match for Carson with only having played 3 games ever.
Los Al sophomore scrumhalf Macilee Mackenzie sprinted 80 meters down the sideline to cap the first try of the game. New players Reign Jefferson, Lyric Casados, Katie Berry and Keely-Shae Sapiga fought hard against Carson High but their experience was no match.
This week Los Al will be hosting both Girls & Boys matches at their home field at Los Al High School. Girls teams from Carson, View Park, Mira Costa, and Lakewood will kick off round robin matches at 4:30 p.m. and Boys Varsity match against San Juan Hills will be at 7 p.m.