LJ rugby 35, Vista 7 - Season opener

Captain Marc Oriol kicks the conversion

for two points at the end of the first half,

giving the Vikings a 14-7 halftime lead.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

On a 55-degree night at kickoff in La Jolla, the Viking rugby team proved to be a totally different squad once the competition changed from scrimmages to games Fri., Jan. 13.

With "Big Country" John Hartford hefting his mobile 6'4", 190-pound frame on runs, and Marc Oriol freed to do some of the things he does, La Jolla looked like a completely different outfit from the preseason, when ball movement was difficult and coaches Ethan Willis and Ian Denham were focused on indoctrinating players brand new to the unusual sport of rugby.

The Vikings waxed a visiting Mission Vista team (their coach said activities are centered at Mission Vista High), 35-7.

One observer, a newcomer, had been fooled by the mostly futile preseason activity. He thought La Jolla might really struggle this season, after banner seasons in 2018 and 2019, especially. No more.

Viking Nathan Plaskonos lays the ball down

in the end zone for a "try", worth 5 points.

The score gave La Jolla a 12-7 lead

with less than a minute on the clock

in the first half.

John Hartford (carrying the ball) eludes a Vista

tackler and moves the ball forward

midway through the first half.

Kellen Tinsley (atop the lift) provides the

valuable service he gives, on a lineout

early in the first half. He receives the ball

on a throw from the sideline, then he

passes it to a teammate to his right.