RFC Los Angeles Outlasts Anthem RC

Cliven Loubser scored 15 points for Anthem RC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 18, 2024) – Anthem Rugby Carolina played a tight match against RFC Los Angeles, falling 29-33, on Saturday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Following a Round 13 bye, Anthem RC is on the road against Old Glory DC on Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. All matches can be streamed for free on The Rugby Network.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After RFC Los Angeles scored the first points of the match through a penalty goal, Anthem RC took the lead in the seventh minute with a try by Te Rangatira Waitokia and a successful conversion kick by Cliven Loubser.

The hosts kept the pressure on and extended the lead with a try by Albert O’Shannessey in the 17th minute. Anthem RC’s third try of the match scored by Junior Gafa marked 19 points unanswered. 

Los Angeles scored its first try in the 27th minute to close the gap to 19-10 still in favor of Anthem RC. The visitors continued to surge back on offense with two more tries and successful conversions in the final 10 minutes of the first half. 

RFC Los Angeles opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty goal, but Anthem RC responded not long after. Loubser intercepted a pass and ran it back most of the length of the field for a try to put Anthem RC ahead by one point following the conversion kick.

The teams continued trading the lead for much of the second half. Los Angeles scored a penalty goal in the 59th minute, bringing the score to 26-28. Loubser then scored a penalty goal for Anthem RC for a 29-28 advantage. 

Mateo Gadsden recorded a crucial tackle on the touchline near the try zone to prevent RFC Los Angeles from scoring a go-ahead try. However, the visitors broke through later in the 77th minute and scored a try with an unsuccessful conversion kick to win, 29-33.

NOTABLES:

• Te Rangatira Waitokia is Anthem RC’s leading try scorer with five this season.
• 19 points scored in the first half are tied for the second-most this season for Anthem RC.
• Sebastien Zaridze made his debut for Anthem RC, entering as a substitute. 
• Cliven Loubser scored 15 of Anthem RC’s 29 points.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Alama Ieremia

On the team’s inability to close out the game
“We blew it. We lost our heads a little bit and let the lead evaporate, and then we weren’t good enough to get in the right spots and get some points in the second half. They did a pretty good job of controlling the tempo of the game. They closed the game out and we did not.”

Cliven Loubser

On the team’s performance
“Overall it was very good, especially how we started in the first half and put them under a lot of pressure. We couldn’t pull it out at the end, but it was a good game.”

On the atmosphere in the stadium
“This was my first time playing at this stadium, and the crowd was great. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Anthem RC has a bye week coming up in Round 13 and will return to action on Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. against Old Glory DC in Germantown, Maryland. All matches can be streamed for free on The Rugby Network.