Inaugural Morp/Fancy Dress Rugby Invades Fullerton Rugby

Tutus went flying, satin got ripped, and lace took a beating as the Fullerton Lady Lion’s Rugby team celebrated the preseason’s end with an Inaugural Morp (“prom” Spelled backwards) Dress Rugby at Fullerton’s home pitch.

CSUF Scrumhalf Samantha Kanyavong, in a blue flowery dress, can still get the ball out to her well-dressed backs.

Fullerton Lady Lions coach Ravi Perera, dressed formally for the occasion in a blue and purple Muumuu, explained how he came up with the idea for the game.

“The idea came from team members who had seen it done in other cities and clubs. I spoke to the Cal State Fullerton Women’s Rugby Coach, Grant “Heff” Anderson, and he loved the idea. So we picked a date and started to promote it on Facebook and it took off like wildfire! The U-18 girls were most excited and the college girls loved it as it gave them a break before their finals next week to burn off a little extra stress.

How was the turnout for this Match?

There were over 200 people there to watch this match! We incorporated a Chili Cook-off and a Canned Food and Toy Drive. We also passed a scrum cap  around and collected money for “Fullerton Cares”, a Non-profit organization supporting kids with Autism and for two needy families at Golden Hill Elementary School, where we have all of our home matches.

Before the match both teams lined up at midfield and had two minutes of silence for the tragedy at Newtown,Connecticut.

After that, referee David Edwards reached into his purse, grabbed his whistle, and blew it. “Are you Ladies Ready?” He shouted! He asked both team captains if they were set, started his watch, and blew the whistle for the Kickoff.

After three twenty minute periods of Fancy Dress Rugby, the Fullerton Lady Lions came out ahead of the CSUF Women’s Rugby team 19-17, due to Mckenzie Lane’s great conversion kicks!

Both teams lined up and thanked the big group of fans, families, and friends who came out to watch this event in Fullerton, California for the first time ever, and, according to Coach Ravi Perera, “It won’t be the last!”

For more information go to www.fullertonrugby.com and for CSUF Women’s Rugby go to www.facebook.com/CSUFWomensrugby

Article written by Paul Rudman

Photography by Paul Rudman

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