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Fallbrook girls win World Youth Rugby Festival featured match with Rhinos

Though they started slow, the Fallbrook Union High School girls' varsity rugby team came back from a 12-5 halftime deficit to run away from a Rhinos Academy team 24-12 in the featured girls U18 match at the World Youth Rugby Festival in Irvine Friday, Jan. 3.

"We started off like deer in the headlights and let the Rhinos play," Coach Craig Pinnell said. "We woke up in the second half and showed confidence in imposing our quick playing style on them. (It was) a good showing with a new group blooding some of our very young players."

Elaine Jiminez, Tiahna Padilla, Jordan Duncan and Neveah Rivera all scored one try each. Seniors Shelby Tippin and Abbey Savin added conversions for the Warriors.

"Tiahna Padilla did well looking for space and taking on defense before setting up others," Pinnell said. "Julia Tippin did well carrying the ball and taking some big hits."

Fallbrook played the Rhinos again in a U15 game and this time it was the academy that came out on top, 24-10.

Eighth grader Lucy Powell captained the team and scored both of the Warriors tries in the match.

"Lucy took on leadership responsibility, communicated and kept everyone accountable, comfortable kicking in play and chasing," Pinnell said.

The varsity and junior varsity Warriors will play on the road in their next two matches – at Rancho Bernardo High School at 8 a.m., Jan. 18, and at Torrey Pines High School at 1 p.m., Jan. 25.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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