The 2011 Los Angeles Play Rugby USA season concluded this past weekend with two fantastic winter tournaments.

The Beyond the Bell tournament saw five Elementary Schools (Aldama, Annandale, Buchanan, Toland Way and Yorkdale) participate on December 10th at Franklin Senior High School. This was the inaugural event for these schools, with students picking up the new sport very quickly, improving tremendously from game to game. Each team played four pool matches, with seeding from that determining the various finals.

Aldama was placed 5th - winning the Bowl Championship - and producing the girls MVP through Yvonne. The 3rd and 4th placed teams saw an exciting Plate Championship, won 7-4 by Toland Way over Buchanan.The Cup Championship was a thrilling encounter, with only one try separating the two sides. Yorkdale played excellent team rugby to win 7-6 against Annandale. Special mention for Annandale’s spirit as they competed with no substitutes throughout the entire tournament, and earned an MVP Award for Carlos.

The prestigious Spirit of Rugby Award for sportsmanship was presented to Andy from Toland Way.

Beyond the Bell Tournament (Eagle Rock)
Cup Champions: Yorkdale
Plate Champions: Toland Way
Bowl Champions: Aldama
Boys MVP: Carlos (Annandale)
Girls MVP: Yvonne (Aldama)
Spirit of Rugby Award: Andy (Toland Way)

The After-Schools All-Stars (ASAS) tournament on December 11th fielded students from seven Middle Schools, who combined to form four participating teams. Bell Gardens Intermediate (B.G.I) were excellent hosts with many students returning to play in their second PRUSA tournament.

The pool rounds consisted of three matches each, with some of these going right down to the wire. In the end, B.G.I would take on Synergy Kinetic in the Cup Championship, while SUVA played College Ready Academy #4 in the Bowl Championship. SUVA scored two late tries to win 5-3, but College Ready Academy #4 received the girls MVP Award for Destiny’s play.

The Cup Championship was yet another cliff-hanger, decided by one score, won 8-7 by hosts Bell Gardens. Josh from B.G.I received the boys MVP Award, with the Spirit of Rugby Award going to Dianne from the Los Angeles Leadership Academy (LOLA).

After-School All-Stars (East Los Angeles)

Cup Champions: Bell Gardens Intermediate

Plate Champions: Synergy Kinetic

Bowl Champions: SUVA

Boys MVP: Josh (Bell Gardens Intermediate)

Girls MVP: Destiny (College Ready Academy #4)

Spirit of Rugby Award: Dianne (Los Angeles Leadership Academy)

A massive congratulations to all these teams and to everyone for taking part!

Both tournaments were a huge success and we would like to thank all the PRUSA mentors and staff at Beyond the Bell and After-School All-Stars, plus the LA84 Foundation, for making this wonderful event possible.