Brujos Capitalize on Santos’ Off Week
Santos Lose 48-12
March 29, 2025 - DW
High Resort Blvd Park
Rio Rancho, NM
Saturday’s match versus Brujos RFC seemed to cap off a frustrating couple of weeks for Rio Grande Union-leading Santa Fe Santos. Their anticipated home match against the Albuquerque team had to be moved to Rio Rancho’s High Resort field when no acceptable home pitch could be found in the wake of city field closures due to a ruthless winter drought. Lack of a training venue played havoc with the Santos’ preparation, even as their opponents had arranged for three weekly floodlit sessions at a new training ground at the Mesa del Sol complex.
Nevertheless a nearly full blood-and-gold team warmed up in a stiff cross-field wind under drab gray skies as the Atomic Sisters of Albuquerque put the finishing touches on their 38-20 win over the Phoenix Women’s Rugby Club.
The Santos kicked off at 3:30. It soon became evident that the Brujos intended to use their skilled back line to attack wide, while the Santos opened with a more forward-oriented attack. The teams spent the opening 10 minutes testing each other, during which time the Santos were whistled for three penalties. The unintentional home team drew first blood at ten minutes with an unconverted try after winning a lineout at Santa Fe’s 22 meter line. Lineouts proved to be a big advantage for the Brujos in this match, as Santa Fe’s inbound execution proved a trifle under-cooked.
Prop forward Brandon Rey (aka Monster) looked to have broken through Brujos’ try line defense for Santa Fe’s first points at 15 minutes, but was instead penalized for making a second lunge over the line. The Santos’ pack was rewarded for their continuing efforts three minutes later when head captain and loose forward Ryan Weir got over for a five-pointer. Vice captain and #9 back Mateo Cardiel missed the conversion, Brujos 7, Santos 5.
At 21 minutes Santa Fe’s defense was cleaved by a deft inside pass producing a 50-meter break, quick attacking ball, and an easy try between the posts. The conversion moved Brujos’ advantage to 12-5.
Around 25 minutes the Santos gifted the Brujos with a psychological edge when a ruck penalty was followed by two extra 10-meter march-backs for conspicuous objections by a team member. The Brujos took advantage with a converted try soon afterward; 19-5.
Shortly before the half Santa Fe went down to 14 men when a player was shown a 10-minute yellow card, but nevertheless had the last say when evergreen #10 Rainer Ball touched down for a try converted by Cardiel’s boot. At halftime it was “game on” as the Brujos held a narrow lead at 19-12.
2nd Half
Santa Fe was whistled for offside at the resuming kickoff and not long afterward the home team had another converted try, 26-12. The Brujos looked increasingly dangerous as their fit and efficient forward pack began to make music with a talented backline. Another converted try made it 33-12 in the 50th minute and Santa Fe brought in their strategic subs, including veteran backline ace Cory Micander and front row force Dylan Merrigan.
But the pressure continued and three separate SF players missed touchline kicks within a 10-minute run of play. As often happens in such pressure situations, the coordinated teamwork of one team proved superior to the laudable individual efforts of the other. The Brujos closed out the day’s scoring with an unconverted try (38-12), the curiously choice of a penalty kick (41-12), and a heads up, half-field try taken from a Santa Fe kickoff that failed to travel the required 10 meters (48-12).
Santo Jason Osborne took the most out of the unsuccessful outing. “You can always learn from a losing game” noted the hardworking loose forward. “You only really lose if you fail to improve.” Wise words from a rugger, husband, and father.
Ironically the Santos’ first appearance at the Santa Fe Municipal Rugby Complex on April 5 will also mark their last match of the regular 2025 spring season. The Albuquerque Aardvarks will try to avenge the 67-20 loss they suffered in Albuquerque on February 22. Watch this space for kickoff time, special features, dress code, who’s buying, etc.
Los Santos will take consolation in the knowledge they have already wrapped up first place with a 5 win, one loss Rio Grande division record heading into the Southwest USA Union playoff tournament in Las Vegas (NV) over the April 12-13 weekend. The Santos hosted and captured the SWRFU title in 2024.
