A Sunday filled with color. Huesitos La Vila Rugby Club secured a hard‑fought first win at home against a strong opponent. Valencia never led on the scoreboard, but they fought relentlessly and kept the home team perched on the edge of their seats throughout the match.
Tomi Etcheverry, the club’s number 15, opened the scoring early for La Vila with a rapid try that set the tone for the afternoon, backed by an Avatela‑born momentum that energized the crowd.
With the score at 5–0, the visitors were forced to withstand two close calls due to penalties in the 7th and 15th minutes, and Leandro Rivero added another try, pushing the tally to 11–0.
In the 24th minute, CR Huesitos La Vila extended their advantage when Javi González crossed the line, while Valencia hit back with a try that left the teams neck and neck at the break, 16–7 in favor of the home side, thanks to the conversions by Emilien Kabal and Juan Mesigos.
The second half brought more intensity. Valencia pressed, but La Vila struck first after the interval with another try by the home team. Tomi and Leandro converted, bringing the score to 23–7.
Valencia narrowed the gap with two successful penalty kicks in the 48th and 53rd minutes, thanks to Alberto Vidal, tightening the score to 23–13.
Javi Carrion found the chalk in the 68th minute, boosting La Vila’s lead to 28–13, and Leandro added the extra points to push it to 30–13.
The action did not stop there. Both teams crossed for another try in the 77th minute as Valencia added seven points, while Leandro added another for La Vila in the 80th minute. The final score stood at 37–20 in favor of Huesitos La Vila Rugby Club, which earned them five points, four wins, and one bonus, placing them in the middle of the standings and keeping their hopes alive in the league.
Leandro, who was named the match MVP, spoke with pride after the game. “It was an intense match from the start. We came out fast and the team stayed determined. The fans were incredibly supportive. Now we look ahead.”
Huesitos La Vila Rugby Club’s next match is scheduled to be played in Bilbao on Sunday, with University of Bilbao Rugby currently in sixth place after three matches and one win. Across the day, other results showed a steady push by teams like High School, which beat Bilbao again and became the only squad with three wins from three matches, alongside Las Rozas in Zarautz and Getxo in Malaga.
DATA SHEET:
Starting XV for Rugby Club Huesitos La Vila: Rodri, Oveja, Levin, Oscar, Javi Morros, Joan, Miguel, Gonzalo, Franco, Leandro, Totti, Fede, Javi Carrion, Jaum2, Tomi
Substitutes: Gerad, Chechile, Jaime Ortega, Diego Del Castillo, Cholo, Alejandro, Mauri
Valencia Rugby Club XV starters: Javier Barrionuevo, Álvaro Aviño, Jeremías Tarter, Robin Penigaud, David O’LOUGHLIN, Pablo Monzón, Ignacio Monzón, Felipe Robles, Axel Vallet, Alberto Vidal, Mario Coronado, Christian Peter, Juan Mesigos, Nicolás Angles, Emilien Cabale.
Substitutes: Petrus Van Staden, Brandon Pino, Javier Krug, Julien Martín, Javier Salomo, Manuel Bueno, Theo Traver, Alejandro García Santes.
Marker timeline: 5–0 at 2, 8–0 at 7, 11–0 at 15, 16–0 at 24, 16–0 at 25, 16–5 at 36, 16–7 at 37, 21–7 at 45, 23–7 at 46, 23–10 at 48, 23–13 at 53, 28–13 at 68, 30–13 at 69, 30–18 at 76, 30–20 at 77, 35–20 at 80, 37–20 at 80.
Referee: Alfonso Mirat Servan
Disciplinary notes: Yellow cards shown to Eduardo Lacoste, La Vila number 1 at 76, and Christian Peter, Valencia number 12, at 31.
Venue: El Pantano Stadium, Villajoyosa
CLASSIFICATION:
1. CR Liceo Frances 13 points, 3 played, 3 wins
2. Getxo Rugby 10 points, 3 played, 2 wins
3. Industrial Engineers Las Rozas, 9 points, 2 played, 2 wins
4. Huesitos La Vila Rugby Club, 5 points, 2 played, 1 win
5. San Cugat Rugby Club, 5 points, 2 played, 1 win
6. Universitario Rugby Bilbao, 5 points, 3 played, 1 win
7. Valencia RC, 5 points, 3 played, 1 win
8. Malaga Rugby Club, 4 points, 3 played, 1 win
9. Gesalaga Okelan Zarautz, 1 point, 3 played, 0 wins
Upcoming matches (J4):
Málaga Rugby Club – CR Liceo Frances, 24.02.2024 16:00, Málaga City Stadium
University Bilbao Ragby – La Vila Bones, 25.02.2024 12.30, Errekalde Sports Center
Ad Ingenieros Industrial Las Rozas Rugby – Getxo Rugby, 25.02.2024 13:30, El Cantizal
Sant Cugat Rugby Club – Gesalaga Okelan Zarautz, 25.02.2024 13:30, Zen La Guinardera
Rest: Valencia RC