LARC v Santa Monica

Saturday 19th January 2008

By Frank Baker.

A side lose 17-23 and B side lose 31-32

LOS ANGELES _ The Los Angeles Rugby Club staged a furious second-half rally Saturday, scoring three tries in the final 10 minutes but coming up just short against Santa Monica, which escaped with a hard-fought 23-17 decision on its home pitch at Daniel Webster Middle School. LARC’s B’s also dropped their first match of the season, a 32-31 heart-breaker decided when Santa Monica slotted a difficult penalty kick as time expired.

In the A match, second-rower Bruce, inside center Johnny and wing Omar all scored as LARC (2-1) nearly pulled off its third come-from-behind victory in as many matches. Kicking was the difference, as Santa Monica’s fullback converted both tries and went 3-for-3 on penalty kicks, the last of which came just before full time.

After a week’s worth of rain, Mother Nature cooperated, providing bright sunshine and a brisk wind at kickoff. LARC, playing without starting props Kana and Kevin, had the breeze at its back but it was Santa Monica that controlled play during the first 20 minutes with well-placed kicks and disciplined phase play. LARC’s defense, led by the back row of 8-man George and flankers Joe and John, and centers Johnny and Hunter, frustrated the Dolphins during the early going.

The first score of the match – and the only points of the first half – came on a kick following a questionable penalty call. Santa Monica was attacking deep in LARC’s end when Bruce put a bone-jarring tackle on a Dolphins runner. He was called for not letting the carrier release. The kick from 20 meters split the uprights and the Dolphins were up 3-0.

LARC thoroughly controlled play during the final 15 minutes of the half but couldn’t covert the possession into points. One of the best opportunities came at the 30-minute mark when flyhalf Marcus skipped the ball to fullback Simon, who dashed untouched through the Dolphins’ line and fed Bruce, who headed down the sideline. A Santa Monica player made what appeared to be a high tackle on LARC’s 6–foot-7 lock but it went uncalled and the Dolphins were able to clear the ball.

Santa Monica started fast in the second half, getting a 40-meter penalty kick and a converted try in the first 12 minutes to take a 13-0 lead.

The try seemed to wake up LARC because from that point on the visitors dominated on both sides of the ball. The tight five – Sean, captain Gabe and Vaha up front and Bruce and Lockridge behind them – controlled the sets and the backs began clicking, with AJ at scrum-half delivering consistently crisp balls that allowed LARC to attack.

The visitors finally got on the board at the 30-minute mark. Following a penalty, Hunter delivered a moonshot punt that gave LARC a lineout at the Dolphins’ 22-meter line. As usual, Bruce took the lineout cleanly. LARC produced several phases and then Johnny took a pass from AJ and scooted around a ruck and into the try zone from 20 meters out to cut the deficit to 13-5.

Santa Monica then did what good teams do – answer a score with a score. The Dolphins stole the kickoff, ran multiple phases and then crashed in from 5 meters out to take back the momentum and put LARC in a 20-5 hole.

Los Angeles came right back, however, quickly moving into Dolphins’ territory. A ruck formed 10 meters out, Lockridge picked up and bulled his way just short of the try line. Bruce did the rest, picking up and burrowing his way in for a try. Marcus’ difficult conversion kick took a favorable bounce off the upright and LARC trailed 20-12 with five minutes to go.

The try of the game came three minutes later courtesy of the smallest man – and biggest heart – on the pitch. Omar took a pass along the right sideline about 15 meters out, sidestepped one defender, broke two tackles and willed himself into the try zone, eliciting big cheers from the LARC sideline and pumping life into his teammates.

Now trailing just 20-17, LARC won the kickoff but turned the ball over. Santa Monica was given a penalty, which its reliable fullback converted and the whistle blew.

The loss means LARC goes on the road in the first round of the Ganey Cup playoffs, facing OMBAC next Saturday in San Diego.