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San Diego are now the only unbeaten team remaining in Major League Rugby. The Legion took bragging rights in a feisty Cali Cup clash against RFC Los Angeles, the final score reading 36-28 in favor of the home side. Despite favorable conditions the two teams spent much of the game battling toe-to-toe among the forwards, with several disputes carrying on after the referee’s whistle.
Lincoln McClutchie put San Diego ahead with a penalty goal in the 5th minute, but LA responded with a try. Mike Sosene-Feagai broke from a driving maul to crash over the line with Christian Leali’ifano adding the extras to give the blue jerseys the early momentum.
The visitors were then reduced to 14 men when Tim Anstee was binned for cynical play at the breakdown that slowed a promising San Diego attack. Within a minute Hugh Roach crossed at a lineout drive, but LA again responded through their forwards. Jason Damm’s line break and an angled run by Andrew Coe pinned the Legion in their end, and Ed Timpson wrestled over the line from 5 meters out to make it 14-10 to the underdogs at halftime.
Early in the second half San Diego showed their intent by turning down a routine shot at goal. The gamble paid off as Brad Wilkin went over in a maul, but again LA had an answer when Gonzalo Bertranou slipped through a gap after breaking from a ruck.
A turning point came just before the hour mark. The Legion were awarded a penalty try from another lineout drive, with Anstee again singled out as the culprit. His second yellow meant red and the home side were up by three. Ethan Grayson attempted to stretch the lead with a shot at goal from long range but couldn’t find his target.
LA were reduced to 13 men with Semi Kunatani was binned for taking out a jumper at a lineout. A minute later Shilo Klein scored from a maul to put San Diego ahead by 10. The visitors showed their character by continuing to attack until Timpson went over for his double, but Ryan James skated down the left sideline to put the result beyond doubt with four minutes to play. A last-gasp shot at a losing bonus point from Rory van Vugt fell short of the uprights.
It’s a bye week for the Legion, who return to action on March 22 with a home game against the Miami Sharks. Los Angeles are straight back into it when they host the Seattle Seawolves next Saturday.
| SCORING |
SAN DIEGO 36
Tries (5) – H. Roach (24′), B. Wilkin (43′), Penalty try (57′), S. Klein (67′), R. James (76′)
Cons (4) – L. McClutchie 2/2 (25′, 44′), No kick (57′), E. Grayson 1/2 (68′)
Pens (1) – L. McClutchie 1/1 (5′), E. Grayson 0/1
LOS ANGELES 28
Tries (4) – M. Sosene-Feagai (15′), E. Timpson 2 (30′, 72′), G. Bertranou (49′)
Cons (4) – C. Leali’ifano 3/3 (16′, 31′, 50′), R. van Vugt 1/1 (73′)
Pens (0) – R. van Vugt 0/1
YC (2) – T. Anstee (23′), S. Kunatani (66′)
RC (1) – T. Anstee (57′)
| LINEUPS |
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio (17 Nathan Sylvia 56′), 2 Hugh Roach (16 Shilo Klein 58′), 3 Darcy Breen (18 Oliver Kane 66′), 4 Jed Holloway, 5 Vili Helu (20 Tevita Tameilau 66′), 6 Christian Poidevin, 7 Brad Wilkin (capt.), 8 Jimmy Hokafonu (19 Charlie Hewitt 58′), 9 Richard Judd (22 Inoke Waqavesi 80′), 10 Lincoln McClutchie (23 Rhian Stowers 60′), 11 Ryan James, 12 Tiaan Loots (21 Cassh Maluia 68′), 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Ethan Grayson
RFC LOS ANGELES
1 Dane Zander (17 Alessandro Heaney 50′), 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai (16 Ben Sugars 47′), 3 Maliu Niuafe (18 Cronan Gleeson 50′), 4 Jason Damm (capt.) (19 Mikaea Wynyard 70′), 5 Reegan O’Gorman (20 Semi Kunatani 16′), 6 Tim Anstee (7 Matt Heaton 77′ {4 Jason Damm 78′}), 7 Matt Heaton (21 Ed Timpson 25′-37′, 52′), 8 Ben Houston, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou (22 Tas Smith 70′), 10 Christian Leali’ifano (23 Will Leonard 57′), 11 Andrew Coe, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Nick Chan (23 Will Leonard 32′-37′), 14 Seth Purdey, 15 Rory van Vugt
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, March 8
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 19:00 local
Weather: clear, 57°F (14°C), wind NW 4-6mph (6-10km/h)
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Kirk Swanner (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
| HIGHLIGHTS |
