Pacific North Recap: Plenty of Power on Display
Northern California Women’s Division II
San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) vs Sacramento Amazons was cancelled. The reason, according to SFGG Facebook page, was “due to the rain over the past few weeks, our fields have turned to marshlands.” The match between the two teams has been rescheduled for March 30.
Northern California Men’s Division II:
Life West Gladiators bounced back from last week’s loss with a slashing of Vacaville Old Dogs. The old dogs put up a fight as it remained scoreless midway through the first half. Life West played through a yellow card late in the second half and won at home, 53-0. San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) D2 vs Sacramento Capitals was postponed due to waterlogged pitch. San Jose Seahawks travelled to Santa Rosa Rugby as both teams attempted to start the season 2-0. The Seahawks flew into a 2-try lead 5 minutes in, and held the lead 17-20 at the half. The second half would see 3 lead changes until Santa Rosa would take advantage of back-to-back San Jose yellow cards and walk away with the needed home win 34-27. Bay Area Baracus hosted their first game of the season against a red-hot Olympic Club Rugby. #8 Mark Bowers and #11 Tyler Wallace would both have a hat-trick of tries as Olympic Club would be the first team to record a triple digit point differential in the 7-67 road win.
Northern California Men’s Division III-A
San Joaquin-Stanislaus Rugby at home against Chico Mighty Oaks in a close game leaving both teams tied for first. The Harlots would score first, which was answered immediately by Chico. This back and forth would be the theme for the remainder of the game. One conversion missed early in the game by San Joaquin would be the difference maker at the end allowing scrumhalf Brian Lynn to top off a gritty performance with a heroic dropgoal in extra time, flooring the Mighty Oaks 29-28. Berkeley Rugby was at home against Olympic Rugby D3. Berkeley let Olympic Club jump to a 12 point lead before knotting it up at 12 behind a penalty try at the half. Olympic Club would start the second half with a quick try and capitalize on a Berkeley yellow card to push the lead 12-24. A late try by Berkeley would be the only answer, as they lost their second game 17-24. Google Rugby visited Fresno Rugby for their first game of the season. Google could not benefit from a Fresno yellow card, but remained up at the half 3-7. Fresno finished the game with 19 more points and Google failed to find an answer in their search for a first win 22-7.
Northern California Men’s Division III-B
Mendocino Steam Donkeys hosted San Jose Seahawks D3 in a defensive battle that saw the Steam Donkeys behind 0-10 at the half. Mendocino would kick their way to tying the game at 10. San Jose would have the last word, scoring a try as time expired clutching victory 10-15. Bay Area Baracus B travelled to San Francisco Fog and made a season opening statement with a 7-75 conquest behind a 20 point game by #10 Myles Fenwick. San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) D3 vs Shasta Highlanders was postponed due to waterlogged pitch. Jesters Rugby hosted Reno Zephyrs as both teams looked to bounce back from first game losses. It was the Jesters that had the only laughs in a highly one-sided game. Jesters ran up 70 points and a shutout was looming for Reno, until they took advantage of a late yellow card and put up a penalty kick. 3 points is not a comeback, according to Jesters Rugby, and they added to the anecdote with another try, demolishing the Zephyrs 75-3.
