• 2008
  • February 24, 2008
  • February 16, 2008
  • February 11, 2008*
  • January 19, 2008
• 2007
  • March 04, 2007
  • March 04, 2007*
  • February 24, 2007
  • February 24, 2007*
  • January 28, 2007*
  • January 27, 2007
• 2006
  • February 04, 2006
  • January 15, 2006
  • January 15, 2006*
• 2005
  • April 09, 2005
  • February 19, 2005
  • February 14, 2005
  • January 30, 2005
  • January 22, 2005
  • January 15, 2005

UCLA vs. UCSB — February 18, 2008

It was beautiful weather for a rugby match in Santa Barbara: cool, sunny and breezy. This was the first league game of the 2008 season for the Bruin Rangers. For many of them this is their last season and they intend on making quite an impression in SoCal rugby.

SB kicked off to UCLA. Barnett made a good run downfield. UCLA may have gotten ahead of themselves by allowing UCSB to drive harder in the rucks early on. UCLA lost a ruck but came back with Pineda making a great drive with stiff arm running. UCLA got down to the 5 meter mark to begin frogger. For the first time this season it worked really well. The ball turned over to SB. Pineda started off by tackling SB's #9. Pineda blocked the attempted kick by SB that gave Notar the quick try to put UCLA up by 5 at 9 min. Conversion by Blythe. UCLA 7 — UCSB 0.

UCLA relaxed and allowed UCSB to quickly attack; missing tackles, UCLA allowed SB to easily slide in for a try at 13 min. No conversion. UCLA 7 — UCSB 5. Bruins quickly settled down after allowing a try and began to play Bruin rugby. For the rest of the match it was all Bruins.

Pineda and Lee were amazing at flanking, shutting down the SB flyhalf. Zalameda continued to stay on SB's #9, keeping the ball in much of the time off of scrums. Pineda started off the next drive by tackling SB's scrumhalf. Zalameda and the back line quickly got the ball off to Krell, who made a great run, Blythe in support, passing off to Griffin for the try at 20 min. Beautiful rugby. No conversion. UCLA 12 — UCSB 5.

The forwards were unstoppable all day on the run in the open field. Mirsaidi began a push with textbook post and drive. Zalameda got the ball to oncoming fullback Barnett, who had Blythe in support to go in for the try at 25 min. Blythe converts. UCLA 19 — UCSB 5.

High tackles were a problem throughout the game, one of which resulted in a ruck. Mirsaidi drove through, giving UCLA the advantage. Globerson-Lamb created a maul from an oncoming UCSB player to return the ball back to UCLA at the end of the half.

Second Half

Pineda started off by tackling the catcher of the kickoff to stop forward progress by UCSB. A scrum ensued. Globerson-Lamb made a great 8-man pick with Lee in support. Lee made a fantastic 25 meter run to set up Globerson-Lamb, who was in support to go in for the try at 50 min. No conversion. UCLA 24 — UCSB 5.

The backs settled down and were getting the ball out with great passing and looping. Griffin made a 40 meter run to set up the drive. The team worked in concert, the forwards punched repeatedly and then Zalameda made a quick pass out to the backs who got the ball out to Morrissette, who went in for a try at 68 min. Blythe converts. UCLA 31 — UCSB 5. On the attack again after winning a scrum, Zalameda directed forwards for punches and got the ball out quickly to the backs, who supported each other with each pass. Blythe went in for the try at 72 min. Blythe converts. Final score: UCLA 38 — UCSB 5.

The match was an amazing example of excellent teamwork. Our offense could not have done what it did without Lee and Pineda shutting down nearly every attack SB tried to put together. Lee and Pineda speared off the flyhalf, giving the backs the room they needed for flat line defense on the overload.

Starting Lineup

1. Rachel Castillo
2. Eunice Bhavilai — MT at 40 min.
3. Gabby Mirsaidi
4. Julia Notar — Anita Bradbury at 60 min.
5. Carrissa Hsieh
6. Mary Lee
7. Middy Pineda — Annie Berenberg at 50 min.
8. Sonia Globerson-Lamb (C)
9. Victoria Zalameda
10. Chau Bui
11. Alex Morrissette
12. Kelly Griffin (C)
13. Tia Blythe
14. Shannon Krell
15. Robin Barnett

Substitutes

1. Marituly Mejia (MT)
2. Annie Berenberg
3. Anita Bradbury
4. Brittany Wolfe
5. Julia Chui
6. Judy Maxwell

The Senior Award was awarded to scrumhalf Vicky Zalameda. Throughout the game she showed leadership, intensity, and focus. She created the connection for the forwards' aggressive attacking up front while giving the backs space to run.

Thank you to all parents who were able to make the drive to Santa Barbara. We certainly love your support each and every time you come out to cheer on the team.

Don't forget our upcoming matches. Sunday, February 24th, on the NAF at UCLA, we will be hosting Arizona State University. Please come by for another exciting rugby match that is to start at 11:00 am. We will have a B-side scrimmage after A-side.