Ventura County Rugby Club

Summer 7’s practices have begun and will continue every Tuesday/Thursday @ 6:30 PM at Spring Meadow Park in Thousand Oaks. Summer practices consist mainly of touch rugby with some live drills the week of a tournament. All new and returning players are welcome to these practices!

6/9/12- Kangaroo Court

6/16/12- Midnight 7’s (Las Vegas)

6/23/12- Outlaws Banquet

6/30/12- Santa Monica 7’s

7/7/12- OC Bucks

7/21/12- Santa Barbara 7’s

8/18/12- Outlaws 7’s

9/8/12- Tri-Tip 7’s (San Luis Obispo)

This 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation was created to support leading cancer researchers while promoting safe and active lifestyles for today’s youth through sports. By leveraging the global participation of rugby, the foundation and its donors will help tackle cancer.  Tackling Cancer supplies amazing overseas raffle prizes and raffle tickets, and distributes them to each rugby club involved. The club sells each ticket for $10.  A donation equal to 50% of the money raised goes back to the rugby club.  Raffle will be held July 7th, 2012.  TacklingCancer.org If anyone would like to purchase tickets or needs tickets to sell for the club please contact Shawn Love (805) 432-6227.

PRIZES FOR WINNING RAFFLE

GRAND PRIZE: One (1) prize will be awarded for two (2) round trip airline tickets from California (closest airport to winner) to the Bahamas (NAS) for a fabulous Caribbean vacation including 5day/4nights accommodation. Certain restrictions and blackout dates apply. Estimated value: $4,000.

FIRST PRIZES: Three (3) Sony Playstation3 Slimʼs will be awarded. Estimated value: $300.

SECOND PRIZE: One (1) rugby gift bag will be awarded by Rugby Athletic – www.rugbyathletic.com Estimated value $250.

CLUB PRIZES FOR SELLING MOST TICKETS

1st- $50, New Rugby Cleats (up to $100), & New Rugby Ball,

2nd- $50, $50 Visa Gift Card, & New Rugby Ball

3rd- $50 & New Rugby Ball

*Prize winner’s cash goes towards dues and the remainder is given to said player.

The club will end its contest for selling tickets on May 25th. This is the main fundraiser for the club this year so everyone’s participation is vital!

Be there by 11:30 AM for warm ups. A side kicks off at 1:00 PM and B side kicks off at 2:30 PM.

Location:

Wildflower Playfield

635 W. Avenida de los Arboles

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Ventura County Outlaws @ Kern County Tuskers, March 24, 2012

The 6-1 Ventura County Outlaws travelled north to battle the 5-2 Kern County Tuskers.  The winner of this highly anticipated match would lay claim to second place in SoCal’s Division II.  The conditions at kickoff were perfect for rugby.

The match started with a flurry.  Ruben Morgan, Ventura’s hooker, snatched the kickoff to steal it away from Kern.  The visitors began rolling down the pitch and were awarded a penalty just outside Kern’s 22, but  Marcus Mulick pushed the kick to the right.

After the 22 drop out some exciting play led to a penalty to Kern.  The Tuskers elected to kick to touch, but the ball was kept in bounds by Ventura’s Trevor Mustin, who managed to deflect it to Jeff “Cools” Dull.  Cools ran out to the 40 meter line before kicking into Kern’s back line, and Mulick came up to make a clutch tackle of a Kern player in space.  Kern kept the ball and powered down the field behind strong forward crashes.  Ventura did all they could to bring down the hard running Tuskers, but it appeared that the hosts would be able to score.  The action stopped when the visitors committed a penalty, and, fortunately for the Outlaws, the kick was missed.

Kern regained possession, and they continued their onslaught of Ventura’ defense.  The home team swung the ball out wide, looking for an overlap, as they charged toward the try zone.  With Ventura on their heels, Mulick intercepted an errant pass at about the 22.  He raced nearly 80 meters with Kern in pursuit to touch the ball down for the game’s first score.  He knocked through the conversion to slot the score at 7-0 Ventura. 13:00.

After the ensuing kickoff, Ventura gave the ball away on a knock on, but the Outlaw forwards surged ahead in the scrum and stole the ball, a trend that would continue throughout the day.  For the next several minutes both teams battled hard at the ruck.  Some strategic kicking backed up Kern inside their own 22.  Ventura stole Kern’s lineout on a good lift by the pack.  After a couple of effective forward phases Ventura’s tight head, Paulie Gagliardi, found himself in the scrum half position.  He spun out a pass to Shawn Love who instantly swung it into the hands of Hector de Alba.  Hector received the ball inside Kern’s 22 and ran a tricky route that kept the defense off balance and unable to make a strong tackle.  He pushed the ball over the try line with tacklers on his back for the game’s second score.  The kick from the sideline was missed, leaving the total 12-0 in favor of the visitors.

Ventura seemed to have everything going their way in the first half, but penalties plagued their efforts throughout.  29 minutes into the game, Jonathan Clegg stole the ball for Ventura, but a penalty for diving over the ruck awarded the ball to Kern.  Ventura’s players were visibly upset by the calls, and it wasn’t long before the referee called a penalty on Ventura’s sideline for chirping.  Despite their frustration, the Outlaws continued to play hard. A few strong phases at the 35 minute mark saw wing Trevor Mustin take a pass from Ventura’s hard running number 2, Ruben Morgan, about 60 meters before he was taken down.  The scramble to get the ball into the try zone led to a knock on by Ventura.  The scrum was strong again for the visitors, and they stole the ball.  Luckily for the Tuskers another untimely Ventura knock on stopped the threat.  Both teams played hard for the last couple of minutes, but no more scoring would take place. The total was 12-0 at the half in favor of the Outlaws.

Kern started the second half looking to get back into it, and their fast and tough play proved it.  Kern commenced a flurry of fast forward crashes and strategic backs plays which took them inside Ventura’s 5 meter line.  However, it seemed that every time Kern threatened, they committed a costly error.  Knock ons and penalties helped Ventura keep their foes off of the scoreboard.

Kern continued to play inside Ventura’s half, but strong scrums continued to be Ventura’s hallmark.  At the 49 minute mark a series of big plays went in favor of Ventura:  a clutch kick by number 10 Shawn Love got the ball out of Ventura’s try zone, a line out was stolen by Ventura deep in their own territory, and a backwards kick by Kern ruined the home team’s momentum.

The Tuskers refused to be discouraged and continued to play tough rugby.  The hosts put together a string of effective phases; their big runners refused to go down after the first hit.  However, fortune shone brightly on the defenders.  Cools intercepted a pass and sprinted 80 meters, with a few high steps around the 22 to evade a pursuer, for Ventura’s third try of the game.  Mulick was able to convert the dead on kick for a 19-0 Outlaws lead.  60:00.

A few minutes later, Kern was awarded a penalty deep in Ventura territory.  The home team was able to power the ball over the try line for their first score.  After nailing the conversion, the Tuskers trailed 19-7.

65 minutes into the game, Ventura’s forwards were beginning to look exhausted; they were doing all they could to hold onto the lead.  Gagliardi took a ball off of a maul, laid a Tusker face down with a strong stiff arm, and rumbled forward to retain possession.  It appeared that Ventura caught their second wind.

The energy didn’t seem to last long as Kern drove back into Ventura’s half.  Mulick made a great tackle on the wing that forced a forward pass which halted Kern’s momentum for the time being.  The Tuskers quickly recovered and seemed to recognize the Outlaws fatigue.  Taking a ball just inside Ventura’s 22, one of the Tuskers began running across the field, the kind of run that makes coaches furious.  However, his speed took him around the Ventura pursuit, and the ball was easily touched down in the opposite corner for a try.  As the kicker approached for the ensuing conversion, the ball fell off of the tee.  The hard charging Mulick sprinted forward to challenge the kick, and he found himself standing in front of the kicker.  An attempted drop kick was missed which made the score 19-12 in favor of Ventura. 75:00.

Ventura seemed to strengthen their resolve after the score. For the final 5 minutes, the visitors were able to control the ball and keep it inside their opponents’ half.  A penalty kick by Ventura was missed, but they regained possession and kicked to touch to end the game.   Final 19-12.

It was an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams.  Ventura was able to clinch no worse than second place in the division while Kern will need to win or hope for a Gurkhas loss to secure third place.  Both teams enjoyed a great social at Shamrock’s Irish Pub, highlighted by some great tacos and raucous singing.

1:00PM AWAY GAME @ KERN COUNTY RUGBY

9:00AM CARPOOLERS MEETUP AT PRACTICE FIELD

MATCH AT STANDARD PARK 301 E. Minner Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93308

Directions:

Take 118 East to 405 North to 5 North to CA 99 N Exit onto Airport Dr. Make 1st right onto Decatur St. Left onto N Chester Ave and Right onto Minner Ave

March 10, 2012,  Camarillo, CA

Saturday was a perfect rugby day in Southern California.  Temperature in the 70s with a mild breeze of about 10 mph.

The host Ventura County Outlaws squared off against the visitors from Eagle Rock.  The Outlaws started off the game looking sharp.  They were given a couple of quick Eagle Rock penalties; Marcus Mulick kicked a ball that looked good, but it was ruled to be just outside the post.

Eagle Rock snatched control of the ball and put together a couple of strong phases.  A scrum to Eagle Rock seemed to keep the momentum going in the direction of the visitors, but Ventura managed to wheel it.  A few minutes later a penalty was awarded to Ventura, and Marcus knocked it through at the 7 minute mark.  3-0 Outlaws.

The score seemed to light a fire under Eagle Rock.  They took control of the next few minutes by swinging the ball across the field.  As soon as the Outlaws were able to get to the ruck, the visitors would send it back the other way.  After a few sequences like this, Eagle Rock was able to push the ball over the try line at 11:00.  The conversion from the sideline was missed to make the score 5-3 in favor of the visitors.

After kickoff, Eagle rock broke through the line for what appeared to be a 50 meter try.  A nice tackle inside the 22 stopped the play, and a penalty for holding on gave the ball back to Ventura.  Ventura tripped up its own drive with a knock on.  Some sloppy play ensued around midfield which led to a Ventura lineout.  The visitors stole the ball and appeared to be putting together another strong drive when Marcus streaked through the line and stole a pass on the wing, and it looked as if he might break it for a score.  As he was being wrapped up he off loaded a pass to Jonathan, who was running with a head full of steam, for a nifty 22 meter score for the Outlaws first try.  At the 23 minute mark, Marcus converted the dead center conversion for a 10-5 Outlaws lead.

Ventura stepped on the accelerator at the 28 minute mark.  Off of a stolen line out the home team swung the ball out wide to Cools who sprinted for about 25 meters before putting his boot to the ball.  The kick was received by an Eagle Rock player inside his own 22, but he let the ball go to the ground.  Trevor Mustin put on some serious windmilling pressure followed by a squib kick by Cools which sent the ball bouncing toward the try zone.  He recovered the ball and passed to Shawn Love who had a man outside.  Shawn chose to dart back inside for an elusive score.  Marcus added the conversion to send the score to 17-5 in favor of the hosts.

Eagle Rock continued to play strong ball, but Ventura stole it away.  A penalty against the visitors allowed Marcus to convert for 3 more points. 35:00 20-5 Ventura.

With time about to expire, Eagle Rock took the ball on a penalty inside their half.  After kicking to touch and winning the lineout, the visitors managed a lightning fast drive highlighted by strong inside support for a try.  The conversion was made to peg the score 20-12 at the half.

The second half started off slowly compared to the pace set by both teams in the game’s first period.  Ventura put together a string of nice phases to get down to the goal line at the 51 minute mark, but they were repelled by Eagle Rock’s defense.   The home team regrouped and Cools ran a strong try in from the edge but missed the conversion to put the score at 25-12 Ventura.

The next ten minutes saw some effective kicking by both sides and another series of strong Outlaw phases.  However, Eagle Rock exploded for a ferocious drive from midfield; the key play being a quick-tapped penalty for a dashing score at 68:00.  The conversion was made to slice the Ventura’s lead to 25-19.

As the game clock ticked away, and the Outlaws’ hopes of scoring a bonus point seemed to be fading as well, the home team seemed to find their last burst.  Eagle Rock tried to repel the relentless pressure, but they couldn’t hold out to the end.  The Outlaws forwards powered over the ball in and Eagle Rock scrum.  Shawn took the ball for about 10 meters of jumping and juking before he passed it off to Trevor for the Outlaws’ bonus point try.  The conversion was missed, but the score stood at 30-19 with only a couple of minutes left in the match.

In the final seconds of the game, Cameron took a 50 meter try to the house…or at least he thought he did.  The Aussie grounded the ball at the 5 meter line (a la Vinny Bartels @ OC Bucks in 2010).  Ventura drove the ensuing scrum inside the 5.  A couple forward crashes drew in the Eagle Rock defense which allowed the Outlaws to swing the ball out to Cameron who redeemed himself with a short try. Cools capped off the scoring by adding the conversion for a 37-19 victory.

SCRFU.org shows Kern County falling for the second time this year.  With the win the Outlaws are again alone in second place at 6-1.

The Outlaws travelled down to beautiful San Diego to face the unbeaten Old Aztecs in a battle for first place in Division 2. The Old Aztecs would score first with some good inside out ball movement resulting in a try. The Outlaws would settle down and play good ball possession rugby which led to the Old Aztecs committing a penalty deep in their own territory. Marcus Mulick split the uprights and made the score 5-3.

After some more back and forth the Aztecs were able to break through the Outlaw defense for another try and conversion to put them up 12-3. This try seemed to put Ventura on their heels a bit as the Old Aztecs applied relentless pressure. The Aztecs were able to convert this sustained possession into two more tries, bringing the score to 26-3 with about 10 minutes to go in the first half.

The Outlaws still had a lot of fight in them and showed once again why they are a championship caliber team. After wresting possession away from the Old Aztecs, the Outlaws were able to move the ball down the field in a very efficient manner. After some good forward crashes and ball movement on the wing Jonathan Clegg took a pass from Shawn Love and smashed his way into the try zone. Marcus was true on the conversion and the score stood 26-10. The Outlaws still had plans for more points in the first half and brought those plans to fruition. After numerous forward crashes, Brandon Sofley was able to punch it over the try line to bring the score to 26-15 at the half.

The Outlaws momentum would continue into the second half. In the first 5 minutes, The Outlaws forced a turnover at the ruck and took the ball down the weak side of the field. Great passes from Trevor Mustin and Nick Dettorre found Josh Martinez streaking down the field and he dragged 2 Aztec defenders across the line for the try. The score was now 26-20.

This is as close as the Outlaws would get as the Aztecs would answer back immediately. Through the Aztec’s relentless crashes they were able to pierce the Outlaw defense for 2 more unanswered tries. The score now stood 38-20. Play would get increasingly physical for the last 20 minutes of the game with the Outlaws never giving in. Ventura’s hard hitting defense would lead to their final try of the game. Jonathan Clegg stole the ball from an Aztec player, swung it to Hector De Alba who ultimately got it back to Jonathan who outran the Aztec defense to the corner for his second try of the game. This brought the score to 38-25.

The Old Aztecs would manage to get one more try in the final minutes of the match bringing the final score to 43-25. Although the Outlaws came up short, they proved that they are capable of playing with one of the elite Division 2 teams in the nation. Let’s learn from this game and take it to them next time! WE R

Carpool is meeting up at 8:15 am at the practice fields (TOHS Rec Center). Kick off is at 1:00 PM.

Location:

(Robb Field) 2525 Bacon St.

San Diego, CA 92107

Directions:

101 South to I-5 South

Take Exit 21 to merge onto Sea World Dr./Tecolote Rd.

Continue onto Sea World Dr.

Continue onto Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

Right onto West Point Loma Rd.

Take 1st right onto West Bacon St.