John Turori leaves Cathedral Catholic players in his wake on this run (photos by Teresa Everett)By: BEN EVERETT
As the Valley Center Avengers look to close out their inaugural season this Saturday with a home game against Temecula, the town’s newly emerging U19 rugby club can look back upon several months defined by exciting potential and a devastating lack of numbers. Competing in the traditionally short high school season which immediately precedes the longer, more meaningful springtime club season, our team has faced only three opponents thus far (having had two other games canceled due to forfeit). Before finally fielding a full squad of fifteen against Fallbrook– the fifth-ranked team in America– in a losing effort on the 15th, the Avengers had struggled to cope with borrowed players and inexperience in losses to San Pasqual and Cathedral Catholic.
Valley Center hopes to avenge those frustrating defeats this Saturday at 2:00 on the middle school soccer field during their final game of the high school season. Anyone wanting an introduction to the fast-growing sport, or simply a pleasant afternoon of wholesome family fun, is welcome to come watch as the club battles for its first ever official win.
Fortunately for the Avengers, and for any local boys interested in rugby, their playing days won’t be over after Saturday’s game. The club season, which involves more teams, more matches, and better competition, begins in February, and needless to say, our local team is still searching for new players to become a part of this exciting sport.
A game whose true nature lies somewhere in between soccer and football, rugby retains the fluid gameplay and evenly distributed ball-handling of its European predecessor, intermixed with many of the positions and principles (the physical ones, especially) of modern football, the pastime that grew out of it. In short, rugby is an intense, dynamic sport that is as almost as fun to watch as it is to play. The upcoming club season is open to any Valley Center athletes born after August 31st, 1991 – no prior experience required. The Avengers practice Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:00 on the Lower Elementary football field, and would love to see you drop by. For more information, contact Coach George Turori at (760) 522-6194 or get in touch with the team on their Facebook page, “Valley Center Rugby Club.”
Garrett Fiehler outruns the Cathedral Catholic defense on his way to scoring a try.
John Turori looks to pass the ball after making contact with a Cathedral Catholic player.
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