The sun shone brightly and the air was still Saturday morning as the Pepperdine men’s rugby team painted lines on the grass and assembled goal posts on Alumni Field in preparation for the annual alumni game. The rugby team finished the fall preseason 5-0-1 but suffered its first loss to the band of alumni almost 30 players 66-12.
The first try was scored in the early minutes of the game by Kelly Serfoss a graduate of Pepperdine and one of the rugby team’s coaches who currently trains with the Santa Monica Rugby Club. Shortly after Serfoss’ try another Pepperdine coach and recent grad Chris Upchurch scored a try bringing the score to 14-0. Upchurch also trains at the Santa Monica Rugby Club.
Pepperdine’s two tries were scored by forwards Orlandon W. Sweeney and Will Aldridge. Tucker Alleborn contributed with conversion kicks.
Pepperdine’s Rugby Club president Ollie Oliver said he enjoyed playing against his coaches but also found the experience to be vexing.
“It’s always fun to get a chance to hit or tackle your coaches Oliver said. It’s frustrating because they know all of your weaknesses and can exploit them.”
Oliver said his team made a good effort but lacked the experience the alumni team possessed.
“Our team as a whole played well against a very experienced team but we are still very young Oliver said. I feel that one of our strengths is speed so we needed to push the tempo of the game and control the game in that way.”
Oliver also said the alumni moved the ball well across the field with quick passes in the back line and utilized strategic grubber and pop kicks. The alumni also had strength in lineouts winning almost every one during the game and controlling possession of the ball.
The Division II rugby team returns to action in February for the start of the regular season and Alleborn has high hopes for the spring.
“I think as long as we keep working hard in the weight room and on the pitch up until that first game we have a definite shot at making a run at the national championship he said. We have the players the drive and the coaching staff to be very successful.”
Junior eight-man Brady Johnson hopes the team goes undefeated wins regional playoffs and competes for a national championship.