Match Report
CBHS 10 - Live Oak 7 , CBHS 28 - Cordova Lancers 0
Our preseason match with Live Oak (which turned out to be well matched indeed) was scheduled in December. Live Oak Rugby Club competes in the Skyhawk (South Bay) Conference. I called the Cordova coach Jerry Ahlin midweek to inquire about borrowing goalposts on a one time only basis, he countered with the desperate need for his club to be tested in a scrimmage. Bringing in the Lancers, I felt we would benefit from greater numbers to give our Frosh/Soph a run. And remembering what De la Salle and Antioch had gave us last week, I felt we could in turn give to the Lancers a chance, and offered to bring them in to our run.
The day started in a chilly mist as Leo, Nate and Joe Malm met Coach Ray with the field lining equipment. We were concerned the rugby matches could tear the soccer field up after the midweek rains had left the grounds soaking wet. We started laying paint down at about 10:30 and worked ‘til nearly Noon. Marked to International standards with bright, straight lines, this was a stunning pitch! We may not play on as fine a field again this season! Luca, though out with a little injury, joined us midway and placed the marking flags.
As we were fully assembled, kitted up on a fully lined field, an hour before kick off, and for the first time ever as a team, we took precious time to introduce the beginning concepts of team play. At training we work mostly on individual and unit skills, but need the whole team present to pull the total picture together (we’ve yet to see the whole team at one training session).
We spent nearly 20 minutes coaching the finer points of kicking, and receiving the kickoff. Positioning on the field is important, as is the ability to place the drop kick that marks the restart. Let the forwards do the ‘heavy lifting.’ But most of all, contest for the ball.
For the side kicking off, forwards must put pressure on the opposition, taking the ball if at all possible, not unlike an onsides kick in football. Come up as a wall and make a hard tackle, if at all possible turning the receiver in the tackle. For the receiving team, if the kick is poorly executed, say a low line drive, not too deep, it presents an excellent opportunity to counterattack. If high and not too deep, we need to work extra hard to secure possession. If at all in the air, we must put one name loudly on it, and be certain to catch it on the fly, side on, because if you let a rugby ball bounce it can take an ugly bounce, and if you catch it facing the opposition as they bear down on you, you could get flattened! I’m proud to report the club seemed to absorb these lessons and executed well at the restart kicks.
Forwards then worked on lineouts and a bit on scrums, and then before we could run our combined offense unopposed, we had ran out of time. The sun was peeking out and it was time to kickoff. The crowd was forming, the Lancers had arrived, and referee, Kat Todd-Schwartz was at the ready.
Live Oak is in their second year and had about 10 returning players. Their experience showed at first as they executed plays, and showed the discipline to stay onsides at the tackle. Scrums were a mess, and after two collapses, Kat went to ‘uncontested scrums.’ We need the forwards at training to work on improving this critical source of possession.
After 7 minutes, it looked as though the Brothers defense would bend but not break as they repelled several attacks, but fundamental errors were caught by the ref and punished correctly. One of the most basic was our propensity for leaving our feet (diving, not driving) at the tackle and ruck. We must drive our opponent out, being careful to keep our feet at the tackle. Live Oak punched thru our backline and scored a converted try, going up 7-0 at about the 10-minute mark.
They stayed on the attack after the restart, but began to tire as Brothers continuously tackled their forwards hard, driving them behind their gain line. The tide was turning. Leo caught a nudge to the nose and had to sub out to stop the bleeding. Daniel moved up to flanker and Justin Walters entered the game. Justin had made training on Monday, but was away on retreat the rest of the week, but it seemed that he didn’t miss a beat. He made all his tackles and then switched neatly off Joe Malm’s hip to slip past the Live Oak defense and trot effortlessly into the try zone. Joe Perez continued his perfect kicking and tied it up 7-7. The half ended with Joe Perez slotting a penalty kick to put us up 10-7.
Hard to give a ‘Man of the Match,’ especially in just a half of action. I would say the entire forward pack worked hard together, and deserves all the credit. Certainly Mike Macaluso is their leader, but there was no weak link on the pitch. Addison, though slow, keeps working very hard. Miguel and Mark, both freshmen, are earning their spot in the lineup. Robert, Joe Pane and Leo all enjoy the close hitting and handle the ball well. Alfredo "Sauce" Castillo will be a great rugby player with time, as may Daniel. With this group of 9 studs, Brothers Rugby has a wonderful core of talent.
On trotted the Cordova Lancers. They had near scrimmaged, but neither had before last week. They have a few good athletes, but were easily exploited as we ran in about 5 tries, including Justin Walters again and Aaron Gustin, who had slipped on the field for his first action. Mike Macaluso was pulled out briefly to discuss his slapping the ball backwards in the lineouts. Conner stepped up and was fighting for and catching balls Mike had been slapping. We cannot have balls shooting backwards after we fight to move forward every inch. If the poor Lancer had a clue, they should have scored a try on the lineout near the Live Oak side that Mike slapped back into the try zone.
Still, Brothers did very well on the day, lots of lessons were learned, fitness was improved over (2) 35 minute halves, etc., etc. And no injuries! The Christian Brothers Rugby Juggernaut marches on!
Things to build on this week at training: Aside from needing to drive and not dive at the tackle, we need to increase our sense of urgency when in support near a tackle. We do not want players being hit try to throw a wide pass. Don’t stand off 3 or 5 meters. If you see contact coming, go to the ball carrier and the ball like a missile seeking heat! Drive the opposition off our ball! Also, we must continue to get the ball out to our swift and talented backline, and create playmaking opportunities for our lightening fast wings and fullback. And lots more fitness work!
The Lineup: Forwards: 1 Joe Pane, 2 Miguel Reyes, 3 Addison Avila, 4 Robert Kwoka, 5 Mark Spottiswood, 6 Leo Vellutini, 7 Alfredo ‘Sauce’ Castillo, 8 Mike Macaulso, in the forwards, with Daniel Castano subbing into 6, and Leo seeing time at 1, 3, 5, and 8! Backs: 9 Nate Bollinger, 10 Joe Malm (Captain), 11 Eric ‘Snoman’ Lichtenberger (Aaron Gustin 2nd half), 12 Daniel Castano (Justin Walters) 13 Conner Adam, 14 Gilberto Vaca, 15 Joe Perez.
Our boys patiently waited for the half featuring Live Oak and Cordova to end (Kat reffed all three periods, on this, her first run since knee arthroscopy January 7th!), before the 3 sides met at midfield, thanks were made all around, and the JV players broke to the BBQ while we struggled to put numbers together for a Frosh/Soph match. We played 9 v 9 and 10-minute halves, splitting some willing Cordova kids between the two sides. A spirited match ensued, with lots of running and both sides scoring. Colin Ballou made a nice break to finish the scoring.
Big, big thanks must go out to Brian Mahaney, Mike’s Dad, and Big Joe Pane for taking the lead on the BBQ. It is so wonderful, we can’t tell you how much! The Mahaney’s also donated the field lining equipment. Leo, after doing the hard work lining the field, also took the team kit home to wash. The Spottiswood’s have donated and team med kit and strapping tape.
A full compliment of CB coaches were in attendance, with yours truly amazed by it all. Coaches Greg Schubert and Kyle Hunt, teammates with CB Rugby in the mid 1980s proudly lived to see their game return to their alma mater. Will Beck a CB grad as well has been helping out tremendously along with Steve ‘Cruiser’ Dormann, Rich Boyer and John Togafau, were all there helping, coaching and cheering the club along! A virtual who’s who of Sacramento Area rugby was also there including 6’ 6” Bill Shifflett, one of the finest and fiercest rugby players ever to play in America was watching his son Zach play hooker for Cordova.
CB trainer Darci Stark made it out, and thank goodness had little to do, but enjoy our BBQ and clean up Leo’s nose! Mrs. Holmes, our Student Activities Director was seen out before kickoff. Hopefully she could report back only good things to the school admin!
Ultimately we need to thank Christian Brothers for having faith in our little club. When all City Parks were closed due to soggy conditions, and rugby matches were cancelled all over the Bay Area, we enjoyed full support of the school to get this match off!
This week & weekend: Great weather is predicted. Training on campus Monday, and moving to Tahoe Park (8th Ave @ 59th St) Tuesday thru Thursday. Training at Tahoe park will start promptly at 3:30. All players are expected to have their boots on and be ready to go no later than 3:29! Training to end at 5:15 each day. Our last Saturday date of the year is this Saturday, February 5th. The “Try for Others” Tournament will be held at Granite Regional Park (off Power Inn, just south of Folsom Blvd. at Ramona), and benefiting the Dominic Cooke Foundation. 16 top Varsity teams from across Northern California will compete in two pools.
Our First Side will compete in the JV competition, pooled with new clubs Rio Linda and Rocklin, as well as Vacaville, who has been thin the last few years. We play at 8:40, Noon, and 3:20. Arrive by 7:30 to get oriented and your boots on. Warm ups will start promptly at 8AM.
February 20 is the Sunday in the middle of President’s Weekend (Monday being the National Holiday). We have a very special invitation to bring up to 12 players out and attend a training camp in Sonoma. One of the fathers of the Sonoma Valley boys who attended the Kudu Rugby Player Development Camp January 8/9, Joe Flake (his son was the big red headed #8) is flying coaches Geoff Old and Mark Bullock back in from Denver. I will assist, and bring some of our training equipment. Please look at your schedule and see if you can’t possibly commit that Sunday for expert instruction, concluding in a spirited scrimmage, to be reffed by my lovely wife Kat. There is no cost, but donations to support the traveling coaches would be welcome. With 10 to 12 CB boys in attendance, the camp numbers should reach 45 and help fill out the scrimmage perfectly.
Finally, I had sent out a web link and announcement that the coaches would like to order polo shirts in school colors, to be embroidered w/ our logo. The response has been great, with only grumpy ol’ Ed Forrest cringing at the high tech look. We’ll order the shirts this week and will likely have them to distribute prior to our first league match (likely Feb. 17 in Vacaville). Leo’s folks Frank and Carrie have offered to place the order and manage the sale of the shirts. We expect a cost of $50 each. ProCelebrity sizing is ‘liberal’, so whereas I am an XXL at times, I am told to stick to an XL. Please email to carrie@royalelect.com and request sizing and numbers. Go to http://www.asisupplier.com/90743/product.asp-sku=KFT198.htm and select the 801 - royal/scarlet/white panel to view the shirt.