Costa Ruggers Take On State Power Cathedral Catholic
The Mira Costa Rugby Team played host to perennial athletic power Cathedral Catholic from Del Mar Heights (San Diego). The Dons just came off winning the California State Football Championship and were playing in their first match of the year. To say that the Mustangs were at a size disadvantage would be quite an understatement. Case in point, the Costa front row weigh a combined 595 lbs. compared to the Don’s 980 lbs. The size difference made for extremely tough sledding for the Mustangs. Nevertheless the Mustangs played some extremely hardnosed, gritty and very spirited rugby. The Dons got off to an early start in the scoring going up 12-0 at halftime. Despite the score the Mustangs did have their chances but unfortunately they just missed 3 penalty kicks and were denied from inside the Dons’ 5 meter line. The Dons’ massive Forwards and Backs were able to overcome 12 phases and 4 penalties as the Mustangs battled to get on the board.
The second half saw a physically worn down Costa side surrender points to Cathedral. Despite being in better physical fitness, the constant effort exerted by Costa to bring down the much larger Dons took its toll on the Mustangs as the final ran to 40-0. It was the first time the Mustangs had been shutout in a match vs. a non international side and only the second time in their history.
The Costa boys have a much needed week off before they get back at it against St. John Bosco on the 26th, 11 am at their rival’s home pitch.