Three Matches Provide Solid Game Play for Men's Rugby
January 4, 2014 | SMC vs Diablo & Vacaville
By Bob Schnetz
Photos by Mike Geib
Saturday's three matches for our Gaels provided opportunities for all players
to get some solid game action on a beautiful, sunny winter day. It was
gratifying to see the bleachers full and plenty of folks on the sidelines
enjoying the start of the 2014 15’s season.
The first match featured the Diablo Mens’ Club B Side taking on our
Gael C Side. Lots of exciting offensive bursts from our younger Gaels
promises good things to come. Not sure I have the final score correct,
but it was in the neighborhood of 30plus to 12 in our favor.
That match was followed by Diablo Men’s A Side versus our Gael
A Side. While it was clear from the first few minutes that Saint Mary’s
Was the far better team, it didn’t keep us from enjoying the explosive
nature of this year’s back line, fed by a pretty efficient forward pack.
The starters were Jamie Borup,Chase Herring,Luke Sauser,Cooper Maloney,
Dino Waldren,Nick Schlobohm, Kingsley McGowan,Nikki Mihovilovic,
Garrett Brewer, Joey Reavey, Mike O’Neill,Mark Bowers,Kyle Peterson,
Henry Hall and Dylan Audsley.Early scorers were Audsley, and then Kingsley
on a 50+meter scamper for his first try in over 15 months followed by Cooper,
Chase, Joey, Dylan again,Dino, Garrett, Dylan again, for a halftime score
Of 62 to 0. The second half became a runaway, with scores
by Nick Schlobohm, Dino, Chris Mcdonnell and others until it was well over
100 to 0. Diablo was not up to the challenge.
The third match was more competitive, with the Vacaville Mens’ Club, with SMC
Alum Matt Hensley leading the way at flyhalf, showed their experience and skill
with a 37 -12 lead mid 2nd half over the Saint Mary’s B Side, as we were leaving.
Vacaville’s defense was tight, and they executed well throughout the match,
providing valuable match time for our guys, and a solid awareness of where they
have to improve.
Next week’s match is against San Francisco Golden Gate Men, and they will
be formidable. Last season they beat us solidly, and they continue to be in the
elite class of Men’s Rugby Clubs.
Go Gaels