In this week's edition of Club 6 Pack Preview, we stretch out the competition from the Pacific to Atlantic oceans through divisions 1-3. Ranging from California to Florida, there are plenty of competitive clubs and matches that could ultimately determine playoff seeding. While we spotlight some of the best matchups throughout the country, it's always satisfying to give a shoutout or two to clubs that have been around older than your parents. With only few competitions and divisions that haven't begun their spring season (due to weather or start of schedule), we welcome the opportunity to highlight either recurring and first time clubs in the preview. Enjoy!
Women's D2 - Red River: Dallas Rugby vs Austin Valkyries
With the first matchup of the preview, Texas rivals, Dallas will take on Austin in their first head-to-head challenge of the 2020 campaign. Dallas has only played one game so far in their season, while Austin has already racked up five total. With Austin on top of the conference with a 4-1 record and 16 table points, Dallas will have an opportunity to lessen the distance between the two clubs. In last year's lone matchup, Austin had come away with the 37-0 victory, and are aiming to continue their success, unless Dallas can stop them in their tracks.
John Middleton , head coach for the Dallas Women's side had this to mention regarding his club's season thus far, and about their mindset for the upcoming match.
"The Dallas Women have been bitten by the injury bug lately, having to play our last cup match vs. DARC with only 13 players, but we look to be back at full strength in our home match vs. the Austin Valkyries this weekend. Hooker Lori Mayfield, with flankers Camille Baird and Destiny Jamison, look to hold Valks offense in check. A few new recruits will help flyhalf Calli Davis fill out a back-line that had been very productive before injuries sidelined both starting wingers and fullback. We look to incorporate our forwards and have a very balanced attack on offense, look for us to be very aggressive in lineout and scrum situations.'
From Austin's side, match secretary Amanda White proliferated her excitement about the upcoming clash between the two rival clubs.
“We are excited to get into the meat of our season, with matches the next three weeks against really good teams. After a tough match and win against San Antonio, we are excited about the contribution and growth from the new players on our team. This next stretch will really show how much we have and can come together as a tough team in this division.”
Men's D1 - Pacific Premiership: Old Mission Beach Athletic vs Belmont Shore
Heading over to the West Coast for the Pacific Premiership, these two historic clubs will be sharpening their battle axes for a bruising clash of titans this upcoming weekend. This being both clubs inaugural 2020 XVs matchup, their training all winter long has led to this moment of starting their prospective seasons off on the right foot towards a playoff spot.
Ray Egan, head coach for Belmont Shore RFC discusses his club's chances this upcoming from all the hard work they've been putting in the preseason.
"Our players and coaches are excited to get started into this years season. It has been a long pre season with pre season games against OMBAC, Austin Blacks and SD Legion. We have worked hard on the last few weeks about getting our process right and building our key fundamental skills. Our two clubs have had a great tradition of high octane rugby so this hopefully puts on a show for our supporters.'
Egan continued, "We have had a good injection of new players to the club this season and we are hoping we get early possession and control so we can implement into our game plan. As always our traditional rivalry comes down to who wins the gain line. Our focus will be possession, the gain line in defense, and to keep the ball alive. Early momentum will also be key to later success in the season, so this first game we are looking to get a strong performance.'
On the other side of the pitch, OMBAC is looking to reverse their luck from last year's 3-6-1 season, and will have their hands full with a surging Belmont side. From their website, the following segment is a bit about the history and prominence of the club.
Founded in 1954 by Mike Curren and some of his friends, The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) is the parent affiliation of OMBAC Rugby Football Club. The Athletic Club has approximately 450 active members and supports numerous athletic, social and charitable associations.
OMBAC began sponsoring a rugby team in 1966. Fed by alumni members of the SDSU rugby team, OMBAC RFC was playing in first division competitions by 1968. Since that time, OMBAC RFC has remained at or near the top of the rankings for USA RUGBY men’s club teams. OMBAC RFC has won 7 USA Rugby Sevens and 8 USA Rugby Fifteens Championships. Over the years, OMBAC has contributed many players to County, Southern California, Pacific Coast and United States All-Star teams.
Women's D2 - Northern California: San Francisco Golden Gate vs Sacramento Amazons
In this NorCal clash of lady warriors, the defending National D2 Champions, Sacramento Amazons will be traveling up I-80 to Treasure Island to play their conference rivals, San Francisco Golden Gate. In all three head-to-head matchups last year went the way of the Amazons in their destructive wake to being crowned champs. Although SFGG is a very proud club, with rich history, they will be aiming in reversing their luck this upcoming weekend.
Morgan Wisehart, the President / Captain of SFGG, had this to mention of her club's excitement and determination in the match versus Sacramento.
"We are immensely looking forward to coming head to head with the Amazons. We championed them as winners of our national league last season and have always admired their relentless work ethic on the pitch. This makes them a formidable opponent for our third match of the season. For us, this will be a test of everything we have been working towards. I can only say that we have put in every bit of work into this meet, and we hope to play 80 minutes of compelling rugby against them.'
Wisehart continued in discussing her club's perspective on their 2019/20 campaign. "So far, it’s been a unique season for us. In 2019, we lost a lot of our key members. It was a huge learning curve playing without those who had come to define our club. We had to dig really deep and work harder than ever. With 13 rookies in our lineup, we came into our 2020 season completely fresh. I’m extremely proud to say that we have carried two wins in both of our games so far, and cemented a game that is truly representative of our spirit. It wasn’t always easy, and it wasn’t always fun but every single one of us put our body on the line for one another. We look forward to doing it once more this Saturday.'
Caroline Sequeira, Sacramento Amazon team social chair, secretary, and 'conditioning tyrant' (LOL), wanted to mention her club's level of wisdom and experience, which should be key in her club's chances upcoming.
"Our team has a lot of history and tradition that make us different from other women's teams. We were founded as a club based out of the Sacramento Tongan community, and we've never had a male counterpart club. Our team last year probably had the highest average age of any women's teams, with most of our players being in their 30s, and our oldest player being in her 40s. All of these outstanding factors of our team made us stand out, and brought us to the national championship last year."
Sequeira continued by giving some players a shoutout who are key in their success. "Players to look out for are our centers; our 12 was recruited to play for Central Washington in college, and our 13 is an international rugby player. Returning Amazon standouts are Lexia "Lala' Reynolds, Siu "Leka' Green and Elizabeth Danielson. Lala was selected for the Norcal team last year, and Leka is a founding player on our team who can play any position on the field. The combination of those players and our other recruits will bring a different kind of play than the Amazons are known for, and could be a surprise to future teams we play against.'
Men's D2 - Carolinas/Georgia: Southern Pines vs Asheville RFC
In the lone Carolina matchup in this week's preview, an interstate rivalry between Southern Pines and Asheville will commence in Southern Pines. These two clubs have already played once before this 2020 season, with Asheville coming away with the 4 point victory. The club is currently 3-1, but will have to avenge their previous weekend's loss to Charlotte. On the other side of the pitch, Southern Pines is enduring a 2-2 season thus far, and will be sure to reverse the outcome of their last match versus Asheville. Pines are currently 3rd in the standings with 12 points, while Asheville is 2nd with 15 points. If Southern Pines is able to come away with the victory, it will be a huge swing for momentum leading to playoffs.
Frank Holly, Head Coach of Asheville RFC had this to say about his club's chances in the upcoming clash vs Pines.
"We have over achieved many people’s expectations so far in our first season at D2 with Fall 3-1 record. This game against Southern Pines will be by far our most difficult game in many years, we managed to defeat 'SoPines' in the fall and they will be looking to avenge that loss. At the end of 80 minutes win, lose, or draw we are looking to be a better team and represent Asheville Rugby as best we can.' Holly concluded, "The guys are hungry and ready to put on a reformable but we know what is in front of us in SoPines, one of the best teams in the south for many years!'
With Southern Pines keen for the battle, and to avenge their loss, unfortunately a representative had not contacted us back, but would love to showcase a bit of the club's history and past success.
A band of brothers met in 2001 at O’Donnell’s Pub and started Southern Pines Rugby Club. In 2013 the club joined the matrix and started a non-profit to grow rugby in Moore County, NC. Today we have a middle school team, a high school team, a women’s team and a Championship men’s team! The club is a register 5013c Organization with a mission to support the growth of this sport. Our Men’s Club currently plays in Carolina’s D2 region. Our Youth Club plays in the NC Multi-High-school league and middle school league. Women’s Club plays competitively as well. The Men's team has finished in the top 16 in the country for 4 years in a row from 2015 to 2019 in XVs.
Women's D3 - Pacific South: Riverside vs San Fernando Valley
In the final women's spotlight this weekend, two Southern California clubs will take the pitch for the second time in each of their prospective seasons. Both clubs are coming off an opening season loss, and will be hungry in checking the box in the 'Win' column for the first time in 2020.
Stephanie Peterson, President of San Fernando valley WRFC discusses the obstacles the club will have to overcome to come away with the win this weekend.
"Our team put up a really good fight against the [Santa Barbara] Mermaids 2 weeks ago and have been training hard to work on the things we struggled with during that match. This is riversides first season as a team so we aren't too familiar with how they play but know they have been working hard to develop since becoming officially recognized this past November. We were lucky to play with several of their teammates during preseason against teams like Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Fullerton, and loved the energy they brought to the game. This is a match we have really been looking forward to because we finally get to have some fun with our Riverside friends again on the pitch again!'
On the other side of the pitch, the Riverside WRFC competes competitively in the Southern California Rugby Football Union Division 3. Their style of play has been described as more of a "Southern Hemisphere' play. This style, popularized by New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji, emphasizes back-play over forward play, and focuses on quick ball movement and a high work rate.
Men's D3 - True-South: Battleship RFC vs Pensacola Aviators
The Pensacola Aviators will be looking to build momentum this weekend as they head across the bay to face Battleship Rugby in Mobile, AL. The defending USA Rugby True South Champion, Aviators, opened the season last weekend with a commanding 62-19 win over Panama City Hurricanes on their home pitch. They will be looking to repeat that success this weekend against their longtime rivals.
The Aviators have strong numbers again this season with a talented group of experienced players. 8-man and team Captain, Steven Mendez, attributes much of their success to their returning sponsor Perfect Plain Brewing. "Having a sponsor that supports our team the way they do frees our leadership to focus on recruiting and skill development rather than fundraising' Mendez added. While Battleship may be seemingly on the down side of the ebb and flow that often plagues Club rugby in the South, the Aviators expect a hard fought match between the two squads that always bring their best to this rivalry.
On the other side of the pitch, Battleship RFC is ready to rumble in their opening match of the season, especially against a closely tight knit and connected club in Pensacola. RJ Lugo, Captain of Battleship RFC, explains the importance of the upcoming match, and the close ties of players between the two clubs.
"This week’s matchup will be surely full of action and excitement. Being only an hour away on the map breeds a talent filled, hard hitting and anticipated game by the two clubs. The significance to the Battleship season is at a high knowing that with a secured win. We would one step closer to achieving our goals of becoming True South champions, and ensuring our place in the playoffs.'
Lugo continued, "This weekend’s match has special importance to the players who know each other well, both on and off the pitch. For one, a handful of Aviators combined with Battleship to compete in the annual Fall tournament. Also, the ties of individual players run deep. Some were long time Battleship members who have since moved on to the Aviators club as they previously lived in Mobile, AL but their careers moved them to Pensacola, FL. Players from both clubs consistently travel as teammates and opponents playing in tournaments throughout the year. This will undoubtedly be a matchup for bragging rights between those players who are friends both on and off the pitch. While the spirit of rugby is alive and well after the match, it will be a fun and fierce competition for the 80 minutes.'
