Gael Ruggers Show Offensive Power
This week our Gael Ruggers at all levels demonstrated their zeal for the game and ability to get the ball to the try zone on another bright sunny Saturday at Pat Vincent Memorial Field,
Our B Side played first against a tough and fairly skilled Santa Rosa JC squad. The team cashed in on a 52-12 victory through skilled passing, effective tackling and exciting playmaking. Freshman Holden Yungert took the ball from his scrumhalf spot and raced 40 yards for a try in the second minute of the match. Freshman Dylan from London converted.
Returning veteran player Bailey Hardwick, made his first appearance after spending the first semester in France. He broke for a long run and a try at the 21st minute, converted again by Dylan. Bailey went on a short plunge two minutes later, converting again, 21-0. He then got his hat trick a few minutes later, not converted, 26-0.
Santa Rosa finally put some points on the board, however Mark Bowers (another Londoner) made a nice break and run for the try zone, not converted. With less than a minute left, there was still time for Kyle Peterson to break through for a nice run and converted try, fora 38-7 halftime score.
Santa Rosa stiffened their defense in the second half, as the young Gaels scored twice. The first try was scored by freshman, Chase after a nice run by teammate Trey Boone, converted by Boone. Then just moments after entering the game Dylan (not the London Dylan) raced 50 meters down the far sideline from his wing position. He was tackled near the try line but wound up on his feet again and touched the ball down between the posts. The final score was 52-12.
The A Side played Chico State who was previously in Division 1A with us, but are now re-building. Our Gaels were try hungry after only scoring three tries last week. They took the opportunity to score thirteen tries, beginning as games often do, with Garrett Brewer breaking for a long run, converting his own try. Then came tries from Augie Heath and Mike O’Neil.
Next was Dino Waldren, a recent transfer-in footballer, who played rugby at De la Salle, making his first A Side start with a bold, bruising run for a try.
The highlight of the game came from Brewer, launching a high, 30-meter kick from the far side while Tim Maupin raced down the sideline to catch it on a dead run at the 20-meter line, taking it to the posts. The Score at the half was SMC 33 - Chico St.10.
To open the half, Augie scored after a nice break from a hand-off by Lloyd Evans in the first few seconds, converted by Joey Reavey. Tries then came from Nick Wallace on a short plunge, and then Chase after a great break, run and hand-off by Tim Maupin. Tim scored next after a 70-meter run, followed by a short plunge from Kelly Harris. Mark Bowers added to the mix, with a nice jaunt as Coach O’Brien brought in a handful of B Side players. Joey Reavey converted four of these tries. Colby Stevens hit a conversion, then scored a try, unconverted, trailed by the last try of the match from veteran Luke Napier. Final Score SMC 83 Chico St. 10.
Next Saturday: Olympic Club (Men’s team from SF)
11:00am SMC d3 v sacramento jc
1:00pm SMC 2 v Olympic club 2
2:45pm SMC 1 v Olympic club 1