The USA Rugby Division II Pacific South opened up league play for its women’s senior clubs last weekend, and the four victors put in convincing performances. [Photo: Paul Rudman – KLC fotos]
Ventura posted the biggest win – 81-0 over Santa Barbara, which has resurrected after a 30-year hiatus. No. 8 Vanessa Alvarez and scrumhalf Desiree Leaupepe scored four tries each, while flyhalf Katelyn Sellers added 11 points on a try and three conversions. Flankers Danielle Robottom (2) and Connie Aguilar-Villanueva, centers Julianne Gould and Suzy Kwon, and lock Amy Spafford also scored tries.
Tucson was one try short of matching Ventura’s output and shut out Temecula 74-0. Wing Maddie Endter-McCloy had a big day with four tries, and flyhalf Amber Jones tacked on 22 points on two tries and six conversions. The rest of the scores were well spread throughout the pitch, with prop Rachel Olson, hooker Rebekah Sewing, flanker Carly Gieszl, scrumhalf Ria Joseph (2), outside center Jessica Szakacs and wing Tina Camacho all dotting down.
The two closer games occurred in Pasadena and San Luis Obispo, but the respective hosts did not celebrate victories. Fullerton beat SLO 25-0, as fullback Casey Watkins and wing Destiny Wilson scored two tries apiece, and No. 8 Corina Curiel scored the fifth. San Fernando beat Pasadena 36-10.
“We had a tough forwards game against Pasadena but were able to find some gaps when we got it out,” reported San Fernando lock Adriana Conrad-Forrest, who also serves as CSU Northridge co-coach with teammate Christina Alatorre. “We are without a coach this season, so there’s a little struggle with that, but we actually have subs, so we’re happy with that. Saturday, we play Fullerton, who got second place in our league last season, so we’ll see how we come together for that.”
This weekend will also see SLO and Santa Barbara battle each other for their first win of the season; Ventura and Tucson will put those big score lines into perspective when they face off; and Temecula heads to Pasadena.
TEAM (RECORD) (PD) /// PTS
Ventura (1-0) (+81) /// 5
Tucson (1-0) (+74) /// 5
San Fernando (1-0) (+26) /// 5
Fullerton (1-0) (+25) /// 5
San Luis Obispo (0-1) (-25) /// 0
Pasadena (0-1) (-26) /// 0
Temecula (0-1) (-74) /// 0
Santa Barbara (0-1) (-81) /// 0