The battles in SoCal continue to heat up as the SOC Raptors and Thunder Rugby met on the pitch this past weekend. And as we have come to learn from SoCal: the matches never disappoint. These teams typically harbor talent and size in spades, but one thing the coaches almost always agree is key for these matchups is composure.
“[This game] had everything, brutal physicality, skills… It came down to who made the most mistakes…”
The Raptors seized a try early and looked to capitalize further with their versatile back line. The Thunder forwards—led by LCC stud Luke Hensley—had other thoughts, however, as the savvy pack punched their way in for an answering try. Not long after, Jesse Torres, the fullback for Raptors, popped in a 3pt penalty effort to extend the lead (10-5).
With both teams starting to settle into the test, the Raptors looked to be keeping the edge in the first half. After some pleasant phase play from their lads and some pick and go work deep in Thunder territory, a lovely ball out wide to freshman fly-half Gavin De Giacomo saw the Raptors climb to a 17-5 lead. With not much longer to go till half, Thunder needed an answer before heading into break; they did not have to wait long. After the kickoff, Raptors looked to clear the ball, but after failing to put the ball into touch, it was recovered by the Thunder and after a missed tackle, resulted in a counter-attack try for Thunder (17-12). The half-time whistle soon blew after.
The second half started less open and proved to be ruthlessly nervy. Thunder came out the gates with a plan to dominate possession however they could. They did just that for 20 mins. Every effort from the Raptors was defended well, and the Thunder continued to drive down the field ball in hand, with Max Ricono (flyhalf),back from injury, creating opportunities all over the pitch. Their reward was 10pts from the onslaught, snatching the lead from the Raptors 22-17.
Jesse Torres continued to show why he is an exciting talent to keep an eye on as the Raptors battled. After a few tightly worked phases, Torres tore away to the outside and placed the ball down in the corner for a try. Sadly he couldn’t complete the full seven as he missed his conversion kick, leaving the score tied.
With tensions at an all-time high, and the time set to expire within the next minute or two, the sides looked as if they could not be separated. That changed as once again, a clear from the Raptors gave up the ball fatally and the Thunder punished effectively with a try and conversion with a minute left. The Raptors managed to retrieve possession after the restart and valiantly drove deep into the Thunder half, but despite their best efforts they could not cross the Thunder try-line before the referee lifted the whistle for full-time.
The game ended 29-22 in favor of Thunder.
With only one more Nationals spot up for grabs in SoCal, both these teams are making a solid case for themselves.
The Raptors still have Belmont Shore and the Mustangs on their schedule, while Thunder is set to face Belmont in a few weeks.
Those matchups will be critical in determining whether one of these squads gets the call for Nationals. Mustangs have locked in one of the two Nationals spots in SoCal by virtue of winning the whole dang thing last year. Today, it looks like a three horse race between Belmont Shore, SOC Raptors, and Thunder for that second spot. Stay tuned—might come down to the wire.