News:
June 9th, 2007:
Beaumont Bluehawks take 3rd place in the non-commercial category for their float entry in the 89th annual Cherry Festival Parade.
May 19th, 2007:
On May 19, the LA Avengers Arena Football game was followed by two abbreviated rugby games between Malibu and Eagle Rock and between Beaumont and the Red Rhinos. This event was a black eye for teams involved, for the SCRFU, and for our sport. Each game was marred in some way by violence, whether on the field, in the stands, or even outside Staples after the event. This violence crossed the line into foul play, and then moved yet further into illegal activity, and a number of people can count themselves fortunate to have avoided arrest. It should come as no surprise that alcohol played a role. Amazingly, Staples Center is still willing to host rugby events in the future. But everyone who was involved in the ugliness needs to take a hard look at how they acted and why they think that is appropriate behavior for representatives of rugby (for that is what we are every time we wear a jersey or identify ourselves as players, particularly in an event such as this) or even in civilized society. Obviously it would be naive to suggest that neither alcohol nor violence plays a role in rugby. I've not made it through my rugby career without taking and giving the odd punch or tying one on after a match. But there are lines that can't be crossed. If respect between players and between fans and especially towards referees is not demanded by all coaches and team officers, if these sorts of problems are tolerated at the club level, then things will only get worse. If this sort of thing continues into next year, we can expectthe 2008 season to feature more injuries, more red cards and suspensions, and a degradation of the rugby in our division. I have known of referees who quit the game rather than dealing with abuse from players who have a compulsion to talk. We've all seen players get out of hand and be sent off the field. This season saw players forbidden from even attending their team's matches. Previous seasons have seen teams banned from the union and permanently disbanded. I'd hate to see any of these things happen again, but they will unless people make sure they don't.
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March 31st, 2007:
Eagle Rock vs. Beaumont 21-17
The best was saved for last (not only on the day, but possibly on the entire regular season), as these two sides (playing for pride, fun, and home-field advantage in their upcoming rematch) opened their rivalry by putting on a tense and vastly entertaining show that featured good running, great hitting, and lead change after lead change. Wing Mehaul O’Leary struck early and often, staking Eagle Rock to a 6-0 lead with two penalties. The Bluehawk forwards got to work, pushing Eagle Rock supporting their crash runners in the backline and pushing their way down the field. Coach, captain, and flyhalf Will Pendley scored his first try of the season, Mike Van Note converted, and the game was on. Mehaul O’Leary took the lead back for his club with another penalty, only to see it lost when a protracted forwards effort pushed Beaumont Hooker Jim Rodriguez over for an unconverted try. Eagle Rock tried to take on Beaumont at its own game. They set up shop in the attacking 22 and tried to score by maul, ruck, and crash ball. Stout defense from Beaumont meant that nothing worked and the ball was eventually cleared. Trying a new approach, Enrique Ortega and O’Leary used footwork, smart passing, and speed to attack from way out. This was more successful and Eagle Rock went to half-time up 14-12.
The second half was more of the same. Both sides threw everything they had at the other, and the desperation to win was obvious and impressive. Beaumont’s attack was based on driving forwards, crash-balls in the backline, and close support. Eagle Rock took a more expansive approach and used their superior speed to maintain multiple phases of possession and create holes in the defense, while trusting that their good tackling would hold off the Beaumont attack. Tension was high and overflowed at one point, though the ensuing scuffle had more to do with the passion of the moment than with any real malice. Going into the final quarter, each team had had their chances, but neither team had scored. Finally, after an extended forward attack on the Eagle Rock line, Beaumont was awarded a penalty. Eschewing the kick that could have given a lead, they opted to run. Several bitter phases later, Chuck McCollough touched down and took the lead. A conversion might have offered more comfort, but it was not to be. Eagle Rock, sensing the very real possibility of defeat, went for one more attack. They were turned back several times, until Chris Caufield broke through on a long run and fed Jon Petrie for the winning try. O’Leary provided a bit of insurance with the conversion, but it was unnecessary. Though Beaumont gave everything in a last ditch effort, scoring was finished, Eagle Rock won, and Beaumont began making plans for a return trip to Sun Valley.
March 25th, 2007:
Pasadena vs. Beaumont 41-0
Arroyo Pacific High School and the Hart District Wildcats provided the curtain raiser for this match, and Hart ran out winners.
Pasadena took the field under clouds both literal and figurative. Andrew Donis, a critically ill toddler whose family had been sponsored by Pasadena at Christmas, had passed away some days before the match. Andrew’s parents and older sister were on hand to thank the team for the support and provide some of their own, a gesture which Pasadena found both humbling and inspiring.
On to the game itself, and Pasadena tried to set an up-tempo pace, rucking the ball and feeding it to the backline. This strategy was successful and Pasadena took a 22 point lead to halftime. Beaumont asserted some control in the second half, and slowed the Pasadena attack. They made several drives deep into Pasadena territory, but each was ultimately stopped, either by one team or the other. In the last quarter of play, Pasadena’s attack was restored and they scored three more tries.