Santa Monica to Host New 7's Tournament
 Tom Manzo |
The Club is pleased to announce that Santa Monica will be hosting a new 7's tournament for Southern California, this July 26 at Daniel Webster Field in West L.A.
Currently, there are men's, women's and youth (U19) brackets planned.
Registration details to follow.
For more information, contact Tim Day at timmadnessday@yahoo.com.
Summer 7's Training Schedule
 Joe Killefer heads up summer 7's |
Trainings for Summer 7's now run Tuesday nights at Daniel Webster Field, starting at 6:45 p.m. On-the-beach training and social touch continues on Thursdays, also at 6:45 p.m., at our traditional location, near Life Guard Tower 27, just south of Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica.
All levels are welcome, from old boys and women to youth. We'll run as many sides in tournaments as the numbers mandate. The competitive side finished out last season winning both the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo tournaments. With so many new players this season, prospects look good to continue that success in '08.
Joe Killefer is player/coach of the Santa Monica 7's program this summer. Joe will be assisted by Dave Hughes and Tim Day with management.
Click here for the summer schedule.
For more information, contact Joe at joe.killefer@gmail.com.
U14 Boys Take SoCal Championship
 "The Kick" Dylan Pritchard slots the game winner against Fullerton in the 2008 Southern California Youth Rugby championship game. |
The U-14 Boys won the Southern California Youth Rugby Championship this morning in San Luis Obispo, defeating the Fullerton Lions 12-10.
After missing a couple of opportunities to score off penalties (Dylan Pritchard missing by inches both times -- hitting the post on the second occasion), SMRC was down 10-0 at the half to a fast and furious Fullerton team.
From the second half kickoff, however, the Dolphins fought back and, after many phases of good team rugby, found winger Pritchard open on the outside to put 5 on the scoreboard. Pritchard missed his conversion and it was an exciting see-saw game for the rest of the half.
With seconds ticking down, fly half John Lemoine poached the ball from the Lions. The Santa Monica back line moved the ball through the hands but then turned it over to Fullerton's impressive cover defense. The Lions were unable, however, to hang onto the ball. Dolphin Chris "Kentucky" Collins, playing on the wing for the first time, scooped up the ball and ran to the corner flag and dotted the ball down -- just before full time.
There was nary a sound at the Damon-Garcia Sports Complex as Pritchard lined up the conversion kick from the sideline. Like he did last weekend vs Belmont Shore, Pritchard struck the ball well and watched as it sailed through the uprights. The final whistle blew and... well, you know the rest.
Kudos to U-12 players Max Stirling (second row), Anthony Kodomichalos (hooker), and Nathan Larouche (10 years old at outside center!) for playing nearly the full match due to injuries. It was a victory, though, that was earned by the entire 16-man squad, including Conor Lydon who had to stay at home due to an injury secured on the schoolyard Thursday afternoon.
 2008 SCYR U-14 Boys Champions FRONT ROW: Dylan Pritchard, John Torres, Lucas Benacerraf, Andrew Green, Johan Zoeteman, Chris "Kentucky" Collins II, Marcus Sheppard. BACK ROW: Kilian Kerwin (coach), Max Stirling, Kai Watanabe, Ignacio Guerineau, John Lemoine (c), Nathan Larouche, Charlie Sharpe, Anthony Kodomichalos, Chris Falcon |
U19 Boys Finish Season 3rd in SoCal
 Bryon Williams |
On the strength of the team's 5-2 debut season, the Santa Monica U19 boys got as far as the Southern California Youth Rugby champsionship semi-finals on Saturday, May 10, in San Luis Obispo only to lose to South Orange County, 5-24.
On Sunday, however, the high school boys defeated North County San Diego to secure 3rd place in the championship tournament.
In Sunday's action, Tyler Pitchard put up the only points in the first half with a penalty kick. In the second, Bryon Williams fought through at our 22 to score on a long run. Tyler converted.
The team played fantastic defense throughout the game against a huge, ferocious pack. In the last 10, an unfortunate sinbin put us at 14, and we let in a try. The last five minutes showed Santa Monica's heart and commitment as they held off the Barbarian onslaugt to win, 10-5.
End of Season Banquet, May 16
The year-end SMRC banquet will be held on Friday, May 16 at the Palisades Beach Club in Santa Monica (MAP).
The evening will kick-off at 5:30 with touch on the beach, volleyball, bocce, etc.
Dinner and award presentations will start at 7:30.
Women's Team Announce Awards
 "Burner" Andrea Staid against Coast |
The women recently celebrated the 2008 season with a team dinner where award recipients were announced. The awards will be given during the annual end-of-season Club banquet, Friday, May 16:
2008 MOST VALUABLE NEWCOMER* To be re-named "The Christine Healy Award"
JoAnn Change
2008 MOST VALUABLE ROOKIE
Andrea Staid
2008 MOST VALUABLE FORWARD*
Christine Healy
2008 MOST VALUABLE BACK
Emily Birdwhistell
2008 UNSUNG HERO
Carrie Gibian
