Santa Clarita Youth Rugby Club Under 16's headed to State Championships

Submitted by Steve Vasquez, SC Youth Rugby (4/14)

Well, it was a seemingly long journey to get here. The Under 16 Tigers are going to State Championships in San Luis Obispo May 10th and 11th. The Tigers, with a strong U16 team were able to defeat several talented clubs to get the opportunity to participate in the Championships.

Although, early on the Tigers concentrated on simply playing Rugby, in the backs of their minds they knew Championships were a possibility. The Tigers first league match placed them against the LA Cougars. The Cougars forfeiting to the Tigers still played a 10 - aside match. Ultimately, the Tigers were able to defeat a very skilled Cougars club.

Next, the road lead the Tigers back home. Antelope Valley Vipers, a club which the Tigers have been playing for the past 4 years, arrived to the Tigers home pitch for a Friday night match under the lights. The Vipers always having a strong team, played a hard, fast, aggressive game of Rugby. The Tigers, with their skill and determination cleaned up the match with a close win over the Vipers at 12-7.

The cross town rival match had now arrived. A very talented Hart District Wildcats Rugby Club fielded a solid U16 team. What a match it was, with the Wildcats dug in for battle, the Tigers were able to overcome this very solid team, winning a close one at 34-26.

San Luis Obispo Barbarians made a long road trip to the Santa Clarita Valley for a chance to take on the Tigers. As the matches have proven thus far, these clubs are skilled and kept the scoring very close. The Barbarians not laying down and taking it, fought back keeping the game tied and at times leading the Tigers. Ultimately, the Tigers saved the match with a late minute try, pushing the Tigers in the for the win 15-12.

The Santa Monica Dolphins were up next. The Dolphins were a club the Tigers were really expecting to put up a tough match. The Dolphins lived up to it. As exciting as these matches were, this one was a nail biter. Ulitmately, the Tigers over came a very powerful Dolphins club, winning 26-20.

This time of year brings tough roster counts. Spring Break on the horizon and families ready to travel, kids were missing all over the place. Arroyo Pacific academy suffered this, ultimately forfeiting to the Tigers. However, like the Cougars, AP fielded a 10 - aside match and played solidly. However, the Tigers beat out AP with a 5-0 win.

At this point, the Tigers were now set to play Hawaiian Gardens Eagles Rugby Club to determine the seed at State. On April 12th 2008, the Tigers played the Eagles on their home pitch in Hawaiian Gardens. The Eagles have a tough and endless supply of kids. The Tigers suffering from the affects of Spring Break in the Santa Clarita Valley were unable to field a minimum of 12 players and subsequently forfeited to the Eagles. True to game of Rugby, the game went on with a 10 aside match. The Tigers now playing with mainly under 14 players, the Tigers defense was no match for the Eagles, who easily defeated the Tigers.

As a result, the Tigers head to San Luis Obispo to compete in the State Championships against 3 other Southern California Youth clubs, including Hawaiian Gardens, Fallbrook RFC, and North County Barbarians. Each team will play on May the 10th. The two winners of these matches will play for the title on the 11th. Will the Tigers go all the way? Lets find out! www.scvyouthrugby.net