Pacific North Recap: New Year Brings Great Rugby
Northern California Women’s Division II
San Jose Seahawks hosted Berkeley All Blues D2 in the kick-off for Women’s Club Rugby in Northern California. The All Blues put on quite a show as they grounded the Seahawks 14-85 behind a 26 point day by flyhalf Olivia Bernadel Huey.
Northern California Men’s Division II
Santa Rosa Rugby travelled to San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) D2 hoping to start 2019 off with an important road win. The frost was still present for both teams for fifteen minutes until Jerome Loiti broke the zeros with a penalty kick and a try that opened the flood gates for Santa Rosa. Down 0-22 at the half, SFGG D2 came out and scored a try at 51 minutes in a feeble attempt at a comeback. Santa Rosa would not allow any sort of comeback holding SFGG D2 to 2 tries and ran away with the victory 12-39. Sacramento Capitals hosted Life West Gladiators D2 and jumped ahead quickly with a try from scrum-half Jacob Wright. Life West got their first points at 31 minutes, but were slapped with a yellow card to finish out the half with the Capitals holding a 13-5 lead. Life West quickly scored to open the second half, but were again penalized with a yellow card. This time, Sacramento took full advantage of the man advantage adding 10 points to their differential. The Gladiators would fight back hard, but ultimately fall to the Capitals 35-31. Vacaville Old Dogs were still in a winter hibernation as Olympic Club Rugby visited the dog house. Knotted at 7 in under 10 minutes, Olympic Club chained the Old Dogs and scored 52 unanswered points. Hooker Donald Deaile and #8 Mark Bowers both had 2 tries apiece in a comprehensive 7-59 win. San Jose Seahawks welcomed the Diablo Old Gaels and both teams put on quite the match. The first half saw the lead exchanged 3 times, and knotted up once. Only a conversion broke the tie at the half, with the Seahawks up 24-22. The first 10 minutes of the second half saw a defensive battle until a penalty kick by San Jose’s Michael Mitchell. To keep up with the spirit of the match, Diablo came firing back into the lead with a converted try. The Seahawks flew ahead by a point once again thanks to another penalty kick from Mitchell. Midway through the second half, both teams saw a yellow card and played with 14. San Jose would lengthen their lead, and Diablo would fight hard to get it back, but fall short in the end 44-36.
Northern California Men’s Division III-A
Silicon Valley Rugby fell behind early to San Joaquin-Stanislaus Rugby and remained behind 7-26 at the half. The home team would make a winter comeback going ahead at 70 minutes. San Joaquin would do the best they could to prevent the comeback, tying it at 311 with under 10 minutes in the game. Silicon Valley would get the last points and prevail 38-31. Napa Valley Rugby was at home against Redwood Empire Rugby. The visitors were behind at the half 19-7. Napa Valley would prove too strong, felling Redwood Empire 43-19. Olympic Club Rugby D3 travelled to Fresno Rugby and quickly got ahead of the home team. Down 8-12 at the half, Fresno would jump ahead at 46 minutes with a try from flyhalf Mark Miranda. Fresno would remain in control and collect the win, 30-17. Chico Mighty Oaks hosted Berkeley Rugby in a close game that saw Berkeley chipping away at the roots of the Mighty Oaks the entire game. Capitalizing on a Chico yellow card late in the first half, Berkeley would take the lead at the restart 19-22. Chico would not let Berkeley maintain the lead long, gathering in two consecutive tries. Berkeley would score several minutes into extra time, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. Chico wins, 38-32
Northern California Men’s Division III-B
San Jose Seahawks D3 stood their ground at home against a more than capable Diablo Old Gaels D3 56-3. Diablo was down a man via a red card early in the first half, and San Jose took full advantage. San Francisco Fog had a slow start at home against Central Coast Beach Dogs. Down 8-19 at the half, the Fog crept in and fully engulfed the Beach Dogs late in the game behind tries by #114 Sean de la O and #13 Bryce Lampe. Jesters Rugby meandered over to Marin Reds and failed to amuse the home team, falling 22-14. San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) D3 had a spectacular home stand against Mendocino Steam Donkeys. Hat tricks by loosehead Nino Tamburello and #14 Aaron Rambo helped secure the win for SFGG D3 62-12. Division 3-B saw all home teams win on Saturday, as Shasta Highlanders blew away the Zephyrs 41-14, behind a hat trick of tries by eight-man Urriolagoitia Miner.
