The Mettle Cup game between HTH/Pt. Loma and UC/Clairemont, two high school teams in the SoCal Varsity White Division, didn’t end the way either team thought it would.

The annual rivalry game is played between two teams that make up the bulk of the San Diego Young Aztecs U18 program. So it’s a rivalry game with plenty of friendship involved. This year, both teams were undefeated in league action going in … and remained so going out, as the game ended in a 19-19 tie.

Augustin Centurion accounted for all of the HTH/Pt. Loma points. Jay Coulter photo.

The Honey Badgers three tries to HTH's one. Try scorers for the Honey Badgers were: Patrick Madden, Gavin Rasmussen, and Jack Desany. The Honey Badgers played the most of the first half inside HTH 22 but were unable to capitalize because of too many dropped passes. Desany's try, with Madden's conversion made for a 7-6 lead over the Storms, who got two penalties from Augustin Centurion. That's how the first half ended.

Second half started off with both teams attacking hard but loose passes and penalties cost the Honey Baders the lead with two more penalties to Centurion to make it 12-7 for HTH. The Honey Badgers came back and scored through Madden, who also converted, making score 14-12 to Honey Badgers. HTH scored a converted  try with 10 minutes left making the score HTH 19-14. With less than eight minutes to go the Honey Badgers scored with a nicely-taken movement that was capped off by wing Gavin Rasmussen. Madden hit the post on the conversion attempt from out wide. Honey Badgers 19- HTH 19. 

Since they won the game last year, the UC/Clairemont Honey Badgers kept the cup.

“The game was showed great future talent for the San Diego Aztec Youth Club,” said Honey Badgers Coach P.A. Auva’a. 

For the Honey Badgers, SoCal Griffin all-star Isaiah Crespo Harris was a menace on attack at No. 8. He was the player of the game for his team, with open side flanker Jack Desany working tirelessly on defense, and captain Josh Urbonas organizing the attack and defense well. USA U17 player Patrick Madden was outstanding and lock Wig Biel worked hard in the breakdowns and stole several HTH lineout throws.

Meanwhule, flyhalf Augustin Centurian score all of the HTH/Pt. Loma points, with a converted try and four penalty goals, Scrumhalf Satchel Collins had his best game of the season. Both teams had opportunities to add to their scoring, but the defenses held when they had to.

“The pace energy level of play both sides so far above anything we have experienced all year,” said HTH/Pt. Loma Coach David Barnes. “We came to a significant realization of the level of fitness we have to push ourselves to if we're going to play this championship-caliber effort week-in and week-out.  It was a tremendous matchup for our club and an experience unique to rugby and the things it can bring to a community.”

With three minutes left in the game, HTH/Pt. Loma got one more shot, a penalty about 40 meters out. Centurian’s effort was just wide, however, and the game ended in a tie.

Auva’a said his opponents were unlucky, but also notes his team wasn’t happy to miss several good try-scoring opportunities.

Also in the San Diego conference, Mission Vista beat San Pasqual 39-12. That game was good enough to secure 3rd in the conference for Mission Vista.