Match Report
CBHS 10 - Jesuit 12
This marks first of three weeks in which we will play multiple matches. As coaches we are concerned about burnout and injury. But so far the 'rugby overload' appears to be a success.
Our scrimmage with Rio Tuesday went well, finishing on an unbelievably upnote, as Ben Calidad was playing his first match and rose up to lead the charge. For St. Patrick's Day vs. Jesuit, Ben was a seasoned veteran! At least when compared to Senior John Malinowski, and Juniors Albert Tapia and Ryan Donahue, who between them had attended only one practice!
We played 12 forwards and 9 backs on the day, and asked 2 underclassmen to stay out, but they will all see a lot of playing time over the next several weeks. Snoman's Mom Mary took some shots for the yearbook just prior to kickoff... go to http://rugbyclubs.com/cbhs/ to see this and cool match photos! Prior to kickoff, we gathered for the cheer, and dedicated our hearts, and this game, to be played in Addison Avila's honor, and in the memory of his loving Mother Linda. Linda was lost in a family tragedy Saturday, her funeral today at 10AM.
The game started with the Brothers Forward Pack asserting themselves straight off the kickoff. It was a huge change from our first meeting with the Jesuit JV, in that morning fog at the Try for Others Tournament. Here, gaining possession from Jesuit proved to be merely a little problem, once we realized we could outruck them all day. Our tackling was, for the most part, stunning. Ben made a devasting tackle, that was borderline dangerous... try not to dump opponent on their head, or drive their shoulder into the ground..! While Daniel and Macaluso did most of their hitting with the ball in hand! Fitness still needs a lot of work for all of our Forwards. But we made things very difficult indeed for the red and Gold Marauders.
Our our basic understanding of how and when to support, join in and drive the rucks and mauls will continue to improve. We won several scrums, and a few lineouts. And especially with Justin Walters, but for the most part, thoughout the team, guys are realizing to go forward, cut back in, attack upfield... it is only the Joe Perez' and Mike Maestretti's of the world who can attack to the outside and turn the corner consistently. Can't wait to see Maestretti back at training if his soccer commitment ever wanes! Even Mike Macaluso was working hard to not outrun his support, and involve his teammates with good passing after contact. Nate and Joe Malm again were playing brilliantly, and Connor Adam, just back from a nasty flu, played a great first half, though was clearly still showing signs of weakness.
A long penalty kick from the foot of Mr. Perez opened the score. We held the lead, and much of the possession for some time. Jesuit, who normally feature outstanding kickers from their soccer team, missed an easier shot at goal, and then failed to convert when they scored a try, to go up 5-3.
A rotation of Joe Pane, Luca, Sauce and Big Ben was working up front. In the Locks we ran, Leo, Robert, Garrett and Mark. At the loose forwards we rotated Daniel, Gilbert, Macaluso (forwards captain) and John Malinowski (Garrett and Leo also saw time outside). That's 12 solid forwards, and only Ben, Daniel and John will be graduating. Brothers Rugby is looking good!
Our backs were Nate, to Joe Malm, to Justin (all three awesome!), to Connor, with Ryan Donahue coming in in the second half, Snoman, Sal and Albert Tapia rotating at wing, and Joe Perez, solid and sure at fullback. That's a rotation of 9 backs, and only Sal and Justin are Seniors. Again, we are looking very strong for the future!
Miguel got his foot recasted, Jesse and Colin need to come back fitter or risk reinjury, and Tyler, Scott and Aaron should all play in the two upcoming matches,... a lot. We need to get Dominic, Jeremy and Andrew all out to training Monday, and back into the games, but they had excuses too.
Anyway,... back to the game. We had a very positive halftime chat. Captain Joe Malm and I discussed the game and the ref, and he, along with Coach Cruiser then neatly went over to to Rod Chance and discussed our concerns. Great leadership, and Chain of Command stuff. Joe is becoming a 'rugby player' of the highest order!
We decided to rest tired Connor and insert Ryan at Outside Center. And even though Justin was playing brilliantly at Inside, we planned to, at the first opportunity, have Malm miss Justin with a strong, flat pass straight out to Ryan, and see how the Beast handles it. The second half began, again with Brothers asserting themselves well.
The battle for possession and field position raged on. Jesuit made many charges, only to be smacked down by a committed wave of Falcon Blue again and again. The crowd was swelling to nearly 200 when Joe Malm took a penalty tap near midfield and our sideline. Rather than kick for touch, he missed Justin and hit Ryan on the hands, as he came from depth at full burst. Ryan, didn't catch it cleanly, but tapped it ahead to himself. I dropped my head in disbelief figuring this hopeless rookie would surely knock it on. But this move also froze his defenders for a moment, as I looked up again, he had gathered in the ball, broken past their first (frozen) line, and scampered past their wing and fullback, who wanted no part of tackling this powerful runner. Try scored and neatly converted for a 10-5 lead!
It was really incredible to watch. Just as we planned it, and then gently coached along from the sideline... but how did this complete rookie know to dot down the ball once in the try zone, ... and under the sticks!?!?! Turns out Ryan comes from rugby pedigree that includes a dad who played at Cal (and watched his son's first game today!), and an older brother who starred with the Old Blues. He is also cousin of USA Eagles Wing, and former Cal Safety and Defensive Captain, "The Hitman" Gary Hein, one of the truly great rugby players ever from America!
The game still had perhaps 20 minutes to go, and for a while CB appeared to be in control. But Jesuit Rugby knows how to play 70 minutes of disciplined rugby. At one point, in a very uncharacteristic manner, they were penalized by the ref for backtalk. I had always heard they were whinners, and here they were proving it. Our discipline is extraordinary, to be commended. Might have wise though to take another shot at goal, when near Joe Perez' ample range, and awarded another penalty.
I would say three things lost it for us in the end. Our inability to consistently win our own lineouts forced us to 'tap and go' a bit too much, especially when still deep behind our own 22. As our fitness waned, we failed too be in support and be driving at the ruck, as we had been so throughout much of the match. And Jesuit's superior fitness, and calm under pressure, finally rose up to take the last 10 minutes of the game away from us. Hats off to the Marauders... this time. Near fulltime they scored from out wide left to tie the match at 10 all, and their kicker finally sized up and struck his kick brilliantly. Now down 12-10, we still fought well, but the game ended with a Jesuit player smartly stepping into touch to bring the refs whistle.
