Santa Clara Men’s Rugby

After an undefeated regular season, the SCUTS were ready to dominate in the postseason at the Pacific Coast playoffs in Orem, Utah.  With the number one seed, the SCUTS were set to play against Western Washington.  Western scored the first try putting them up 7-0, but the SCUTS quickly responded with a try from Junior wing Patrick Haggerty and a conversion from Senior Mitch Ryan.  Senior center Scott Peterson and Freshman wing Michael Desssel also capitalized on the weak Western defense to score tries, putting the SCUTS in the lead at halftime 21-12.  Although Western attempted a comeback in the second half, trys from flyhalf Scott Naylor and Senior eightman Greg Ginotti and more conversions from Ryan put away Western for good, with a final score of 35-27 SCUTS.

Referee’s Recap
Referee - John Pohlman
Touch Judges - Chris Giles and Jen Price

I traveled to Orem Utah to do the Men’s D2 playoffs this weekend with Don Pattalock. My first game was at three o’clock Friday and featured NorCal talent Santa Clara University against Western Washington. This was my first Pacific Coast assignment so I was pretty excited. Both teams were too. We started the match about 5 minutes early because everyone was ready to go. Watching the warm-ups I felt the Wash. team looked a bit bigger and possibly more powerful than SC. WW started fast with a score by their flanker six minutes in. SC came roaring back six minutes later with a try by the winger. At the 22 minute mark the WW #9 punched the SC #3 from behind knocking him down. I was forced to give my first red card of the year. WW played the rest of the game one man down. SC’s center made one of his typical open field runs making numerous defenders miss for a try at 28 minutes. WW was long from being done. Their inside center and captain Mark Staiger took a quick tap penalty and powered in. SC scored another try at the end of the half. Half time score SC 21 WW 12. SC’s tackling kept them in this match. WW scores were primarily off missed tackles. WW had a lot of rugby left in them. They scored three tries in the second half but converted no kicks. SC’s kicker won them this game converting three tries in the first half and two in the second. WW continued to battle scoring their last try at the 35 minute mark making it SC 28 WW 27. A converted kick would give WW the first lead since 12 minutes in. Alas WW missed the kick. SC scored one final try at the 37 minute mark to win 35-27. What a great game to watch, referee and play in. Except for the one punch no problems.

Trys Scored:
Scott Peterson
Michael Dessel
Patrick Haggerty
Scott Naylor
Greg Ginotti

Kicks Scored:
Mitch Ryan
Mitch Ryan
Mitch Ryan
Mitch Ryan
Mitch Ryan