Oxy Rugby Blackshirts Beat Azusa Pacific, Extend Regular Season Win Streak to 8

Oxy Rugby Blackshirts Beat Azusa Pacific, Extend Regular Season Win Streak to 8

Oxy 45 - APU 0

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 - Patterson Field, 7pm

The Blackshirts dominated their first regular season test of the season, winning a convincing 45 - 0 match against a much improved APU side. The match started slowly with knock-ons, sloppy play and the rust of the off-season still apparent. The first score came from wing Javier Avalos (conversion Rosny Daniel) who dotted the ball in the corner after a weakside run off the scrum. A rumbling try from Alex Ochoa (conversion Rosny Daniel) continued the scoring for the Blackshirts, who didn't look back after posting five tries before the half, including tries by Avalos, Henderson, Ochoa, and Grummon. The second half was much of the same for Oxy, who managed two tries despite using all their subs before the 50 minute mark. Highlights on the day include a hat-trick from prop Brett Henderson ('09), overpowering scrums, a much-improved Oxy lineout, precision kicking from hooker Rosny Daniel ('09) and an air-tight defensive backline.  With the win and bonus point Oxy move into a tie atop the DIII table.

The Blackshirts' next match is Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3pm on Patterson Field against Cuesta College of San Luis Obispo.

Tries - Henderson, Brett (3); Ochoa, Alex (1); Avalos, Javier (1); Grummon, Mitchell (1).

Conversions - Daniel, Rosny (4); Buckley, Sam (1).

Starting Lineup:

1. Brett Henderson 2. Rosny Daniel 3. Ian Boehme 4. Drew Hanson 5. Johnny Ni 6. Nick Harrell 7. Jonathan Fox 8. Alex Ochoa 9. Samuel Buckley 10. Ryan Serrano 11. Javier Avalos 12. Mitchell Grummon 13. Keeya Bighorse 14. AJ Mata 15. Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz.

Oxy Rugby welcomes new players year round and practices Tuesday and Thursday 7:00-8:30pm and Sunday 1:00-3:00pm on Patterson Field. For additional information contact Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz at 415-420-0793 or pcosulich@oxy.edu.