Game Info/Photos
Our first matches! Round robin scrimmages with Antioch and De la Salle (at DLS). with Coaches Ray Schwartz, Will Beck, John Togafau and Steve "Cruiser" Dormann in attendance. Report by Ray Schwartz.
I don't have the frosh/soph scores, but we won both. At the JV Level, DLS was a 0-0 tie, and a 14-12 win vs. Antioch.
We played an abbreviated 10 A-Side rugby (with two 15 minute halves) at the Frosh/Soph level, and at that we had to play three juniors with them. The club needs more young players to come out and start testing our club's 'waters.' There is a lot of opportunity to learn and to play. The referee in this match was too lax, allowing many simple infractions to go on without notice. We will tighten up the ship this week at training.
For those who did play, Leo Vellutini won the coveted "Man of the Match" and clearly this Sophmore is ready to play with the big boys. I felt everyone played well, and gave it a great effort. The match was truly rewarding considering some of the players had been to less than 5 practices. I know the parents who made the trip found this game to be a joy to behold.
The Frosh/Soph lineup was Miguel Reyes (Captain), Luca Bertini, Leo Vellutini, Tyler Flissinger, Mark Spottiswood, Colin Ballou, Mike Maestretti, Gilberto Vaca, Eric Lichtenberger, Scott Fenaroli. Lots of tries were scored, including 3 by Maestretti, 2 by Vaca, 1 each by Fenaroli, Spottiswood and Vellutini.
For the JV action we moved into the De la Salle Stadium, onto their all weather carpet, and under the lights. The crowd was certainly several hundred strong. De la Salle played a half vs. Antioch as we struggled to warm up and work out plays at the last minute. It was chilly standing and waiting, but once the first half vs. De la Salle started, none of the players complained and the parents and fans were loving it. Halves were 25 minutes long. Be advised, our league matches will have 35 minute halves.
The lineup was 1. Joe Pane, 2. Miguel Reyes, 3. Robert Kwoka, 4. Leo Vellutini, 5. Mark Spottiswood, 6. Jesse Silva, 7. Tyler Flissinger (subbed by Luca Bertini), and 8. Mike Macaluso leading the forwards. At the halfbacks, 9. Nate Bollinger to 10. Joe Malm (Captain), 12. Gilbert Vaca, 13. Conner Adam in the centers, 11. Mike Maestretti and 14. Scott Fenaroli (subbed by Eric Lichtenberger at wing) and 15. fullback Joe Perez.
Again some basic infractions were occurring and this ref was calling a tighter game. We have much to go over in training this week. But the boys displayed a strong desire to tackle, and were effective with the pick and go, and in rucking out opponents from our ball. All the forwards played well, but especially Joe Pane and Robert Kwoka up front, Leo again, and Mike Macaluso, who in my opinion, has found his athletic calling in life! He was brilliant at 8-man. In rugby, and especially in the forward pack, "to the aggressor go the spoils" and Mike, as he learns the boundries he must keep, and the respect for the ref and the opponents that is necessary to play this game, well, we suspect Mike will grow to excel in rugby. And be the leader of this club. Jesse Silva, who shows similar potential for the game, on the other hand ran sideways a bit too much and needs to bring his fitness level and intensity way up. He needs to attend training, and work harder at every opportunity!
Our backs sparkled at times, and never more so than when fullback Joe Perez inserted himself into the attack at sharp angles and with his blistering pace. Joe can be devastating! He also made both conversions after our two tries, which was the difference in our club's victory. The kicks were struck perfectly. I suspect he'll be effective from 40 meters out and more. Maestretti and Vaca I suspect were a bit pooped from playing earlier. Players need to take it upon themselves to force fluid in, and eat properly. The demands of these games can be great. Connor, I suspect can play center or flanker, but with a narrow field and an offense that is still young, he had little opportunity outside. With Cameron turning out to training, Connor will move to flanker.
The halfback combination of Nate to Joe is potentially a thing of beauty. They are both fast and aggressive players, keen to take advantage of opportunities presented by the opposition. As they continue to play together, they will grow to know where the other is going and even what he is thinking. It will be as though they have eyes in the back of their heads for each other. Nate needs to be aggressive and press the pace of our forwards, knowing when to keep the forwards driving ahead, and sensing when it is time spin the ball out to Joe. Joe needs to read the opposing defense and come to recognize weaknesses to be exploited. He will call for the ball we he recognizes an overlap, and orchestrate the backline attack. As the club grows in depth and with increasing skills, we will give these two the tools to carry out a devastating offensive attack. And it will be their commitment to tackle the opponent behind their gain line that will inspire the rest of the team again and again.
