APPLE VALLEY — The Dead Rabbits Rugby Club had the opportunity to move up to Division 3 this season, but ultimately decided they had unfinished business in Div. 4.
“We could have moved up but we didn’t want to go without closing the book and winning a championship,” Dead Rabbits president Christian Weathers said.
The decision paid off Saturday afternoon with a 31-21 win over the Temecula Mountain Lions in the Southern California Rugby Football Union Div. 4 championship game.
“It was the toughest game of the year,” Weathers said. “They really brought it. It was a lot closer than the 10 points. It was right there the whole time.”
The Dead Rabbits trailed 21-17 with about 20 minutes to play before Sulu Seiuli scored a try and Collin Jackson made a conversion to go ahead 24-21. Jackson scored a try as time expired for the final margin.
The Dead Rabbits, who finished the season 12-0, lost in the Div. 4 championship game the last two seasons.
“Everybody was on the edge of their seat,” Weathers said. “For it to be so close and to pull out the win, it was definitely the way you want to win a championship.
“As soon as the refs blew the whistle ... it was overwhelming to finally get the monkey off our backs.”
Vito Changwong and Victor Rodarte shared man of the match honors.
“We gave it to them because of their defensive play,” Weathers said. “They were the key guys who held up the goal line attacks.
“(Temecula) had us down to the goal line a couple of times and we held them. We had two yellow cards so at one point we were down two guys, but we held them for about 10 minutes.”
Api Lealofi scored the Dead Rabbits’ first try. Eric Misilagi also scored, and John Hackett had a try and a conversion.
Next up for the Dead Rabbits is the challenge of Div. 3.
“We have one of the best back lines in Southern California,” Weathers said. “We’ll be a force in Div. 3.”