City Champs Final VS Point Loma
After topping their pool, USD awaited the final game in pool B to find out their opponent in the final. Point Loma had upset San Diego State with a second half comeback, and the pool winner would be either Mira Costa JC or Point Loma. Point Loma edged the final game in their pool 19-17 to set up the final showdown.
It was an impressive showing for a growing Point Loma team. The final match kicked off at 1:50PM, with both teams fatigued after their hard fought pool matches. USD Rugby ended Point Loma’s winning streak, comfortable winning the final 29-7.
The first few minutes of the final were back and forth, with the match being more or less an arm wrestle around midfield. A penalty to USD allowed them to get a lineout in oppositon territory. A big break from Darren Seward was followed up by a charging run by Clayton Cervantes. With Point Loma sucked in tight, Cam Wilmer threw a miss pass to Henri Vatinel who walked in for a score. USD would score direct from the ensuing kickoff, and it was their best try of the day. Brandon Arriaga received the kickoff in his own 22, and got to the edge of the defense to put Henri Vatinel into space. Vatinel had a ways to go to the try line, but made it across midfield before the defense closed in on him. A looping pass found Jordan Sandoval infield, with Point Loma defenders incoming. As the tackle came in, Sandoval offloaded to the supporting Wyatt Darien. With the ball just outside the opposition 22, Darien had the fullback and wing covering across. Darien cut back against the grain, leaving both defenders in his wake. It was a length of the field try with all players running great support lines. USD had several more scoring chances but could not convert. A poorly timed pass was intercepted by Point Loma, and the intercept was taking back the other way for a try. The conversion made the score 10-7 at halftime.
The second half was all USD, as Point Loma were not allowed to cross midfield. Gabe Depaolo had another strong finish, after a great 2vs1 with Jordan Sandoval. The game was still not safe at 15-7, but Mark Boschetti put the nail in the coffin soon after. Boschetti made the man in front of him miss then outraced the rest of the defense to score under the posts. Sandoval would add a long range insurance try to well and truly ice the game. The final two tries were converted by Sandoval to put the final score at 29-7.
It was a great day for USD Rugby, as they claimed their first city championship since 2016. Forwards Ty Helfrich and Wyatt Darien consistently had strong carries which put USD on the front foot. The outside backs of Sandoval, Vatinel and Depaolo were all lethal in their finishing. The trio put in 5 scores between them. Mark Boschetti was solid both ways, scoring in every game and making strong tackles defensively. No player had a bigger impact than tournament MVP Darren Seward. Seward bounced off tackles all days and was immense on defense. Playing for the first time at #8 Seward showed off his versatility, and showed up everywhere but the score sheet. Congratulations are in order for Seward and the rest of the squad as all players showed well on a great day for USD Rugby.
Final Score: USD 29- PLNU 7
Tournament MVP: Darren Seward
Tournament Record- 3-0
Aggregate Score- 92- 26
Starting Lineup For Final
Nick Classen
Clayton Cervantes
Ty Helfrich
Jonny Hale
Thomas Olson
Cameron Miller
Wyatt Darien
Darren Seward
Brandon Arriaga
Cameron Wilmer
Gabe Depaolo
Isoa Moimoi
Mark Boschetti
Henri Vatinel
Jordan Sandoval
Substitutions
16. Adam Walter (Classen)
17 Michael Ramos (Hale)
18. David Alba ( Cameron Wilmer)
Scoring
Vatinel, Darien, Depaolo, Boschetti, Sandoval
Conversions
Wilmer 0/1
Sandoval 2/4