Warriors win big against Rancho Bernardo

Despite intermittent rain and chilly weather, it was a good day to be a Warriors rugby player at Fallbrook High School Jan. 12.

Fallbrook’s varsity girls’ rugby shot out to a 20-0 lead by halftime and cruised to a 51-5 win over Rancho Bernardo High School.

Freshman Tiahna Padilla recorded four tries and a conversion and senior Phoebe Anderson chipped in with two tries of her own in the win that pushed the Warriors to 1-0 in league play.

“It was a very well-rounded game with the players playing together and relying on their structures,” coach Craig Pinnell said. “I thought our rucking was very strong, as well as our disruption of their quick ball at the breakdowns. Our scrum was strong, and our backs ran well from deep.

“It was nice to see the trust and confidence back in our game,” Pinnell said.

Pinnell selected freshman Julia Tippin as “Rugby Girl” for the Warriors.

“She played a great game with a strong body position and a powerful engine that never stops following the ball,” Pinnell said.

Her sister, junior Shelby Tippin contributed one try and two conversions, and seniors Mary Maciel and Morgan Bitner scored one try each.

The Warriors’ junior varsity team got out to an even faster start than the varsity, racing out to a 49-0 lead by halftime and finishing the game strong to take the win, 73-10 over the visiting Broncos.

A.J. Haughey led all scorers with four tries, Dakota Flaherty and Emily Weber added two tries apiece in the victory. Liberty Benitez, Jane Baliff, Cynthia Mills and Abbey Savin each scored tries for the Warriors.

“It was another solid performance from a group of younger players that just love playing the game together,” Pinnell said. “This group understand the game well and has a high IQ. They play what’s in front of them, and they support each other well.”

Flaherty was named “Rugby Girl” after the match.

“She got it because of her quick-thinking and quick feet, which she used to exploit the edges,” Pinnell said.