Girls rugby beats Canadian team

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Girls Rugby Club (FGRC) hosted British Columbia’s Carson Graham secondary rugby team on March 20. The evening game drew a record crowd which filled the visitor bleachers at the Fallbrook High School stadium. The match up brought Carson Graham, eight-time winning British Columbia Provincial Champions, up against two-time U.S.A National Champions Fallbrook Girls Rugby.

The FGRC U18 team continued their domination of high school girls rugby as they beat Carson Graham 34-7. The game started off with an early try by outside centre Casey Karl which started the scoring at 5-0. Karl also scored her second try from a great backline play which caught the Carson Graham backs by surprise. Flyhalf Richelle Stephens scored the second try of the evening receiving the ball from a scrum set piece and running a good angle. She also converted her try with the kick at posts to add two more points.

Eighth man Alexi Eich put Fallbrook further ahead with a lovely pick up from the back of the scrum to score the fourth try of the game. Karmin Macedo added the conversion for two more points. The fifth try came from hooker Johni Durbin who dove through a ruck to score after an impressive series of phases between the forwards and backs, to end the first half of the game.

The second half started with lock Taylor Duncan going over with a good pick and drive to score the last try of the evening for Fallbrook. A late consolation try and conversion by Carson Graham on full time put an end to an entertaining night of rugby. Highlights included great tackling and defense from Fallbrook as well as impressive backline finishing.

Captain and open side flank Megan Pinson became the first player to have played 75 games for the Fallbrook Under 18 side after beginning her rugby career at age 12.

The FGRC continued their season by playing away games in the Fullerton International Invitational Tournament on March 23 and 24, and will proceed to ORCA and Hawaiian Gardens on April 8, La Quinta on April 13, and Fullerton on April 20. Playoffs will then commence on May 5. The last home game was the friendly annual “Prom Dress Rugby” day, where players and coaches switched their rugby gear for long, fancy dresses while playing the game on Saturday, March 30.

Fundraising is critical to the well-being of FGRC, and there are two big events coming up. The first is their inaugural garage/yard sale which will take place on Friday, April 5 at 1072 Tanya Lane.

The second fundraiser is their Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle Night which will take place on Friday, April 12 at Fallbrook High’s cafeteria. Tickets to the dinner are available ($8/person) which can be purchased from any of the FGRC members; contact [email protected].

The public is invited to attend and enjoy these amazing competitions, and support the team by participating in the fundraisers.