San Diego Legion 36 : 28 RFC Los Angeles

San Diego Legion secured a derby victory over RFC Los Angeles and another win to open their 2025 season with four straight victories.

The Legion now top the table with 20 points, four for each victory plus four bonus points. The lead over second place Houston stands at five points.

Legion scored five tries to RFC LA’s four in an open game.

For Legion, Hugh Roach, Brad Wilkin, Shilo Klein and Ryan James went over the line plus a penalty try was awarded for an event in the 56th minute that also led to a red card for LA’s Australian flanker Tim Anstee. It was his second sin bin of the match.

RFC LA were actually leading 24-14 when Anstee was sin binned on a yellow in the 23rd minute. The first card didn’t prove to be a game changer for the LA club as both sides were restricted to a converted try in his ten minute absence.

Ed Timpson scored two tries for the visitors, after Mike Sosene-Feagai had scored the game’s opening try in the 14th minute and Gonzalo Bertranou touched down just after half time.

LA’s poor discipline was not restricted to Anstee.

Semi Kunabuli Kunatani was also sin binned in the 66th minute with the score at just 26-21 after Anstee was red carded in the 56th. In all, the Sydney born forward played just 50 minutes, leaving his side a man down for 30 minutes and two men down for ten.

Legion put the game away against their 13 man opponents with James and Klein scoring in the ten minute window in a game where they only had a 46% minority of possession.

RFC LA conceded 15 penalties as their discipline cost them dear.

The Legion host the Miami Sharks next on March 22.

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