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San Diego showed why they are early season favorites with an overwhelming display of running rugby at Torero Stadium to come away victorious in their first ever game by a score of 37-24 over Sacramento. Despite the visitors showing superiority in the forwards, the pace of the impressive backline and the boot of flyhalf Kurt Morath proved too much for Sacramento to handle.
It was no surprise that Morath knocked over the first points on record for San Diego inside the opening minutes, but not before Brian Doyle was forced off injured, replaced by Tai Tuisamoa with the game not yet at the two minute mark. Harry Bennett replied with a goal of his own but Morath restored the lead just moments later, and added a third penalty for good measure.
Both teams were intent on playing running rugby, and a half-break from Morath sparked the first try as his pass was deflected by the Sacramento defender and picked up by Ryan Matyas. The San Diego center out-paced the defense for 60 meters before firing a perfect pass back inside to a trailing Mike Te’o for a cracking score.
Captain Phil Mackenzie was the next on the board, picking up the scraps after Garrett Brewer’s clearance attempt was charged down. Morath added the extras this time, and his fourth penalty goal of the half to make it a very one-sided 24-3 at the break.
Sacramento tightened it up to start the second stanza and were finally rewarded for their completely dominant scrum as Kyle Sumsion was on the end of a pushover in the 45th minute. Their celebrations didn’t last long, however, as they were quickly under pressure deep in their own end and a wild sequence ended in Cecil Garber pouncing on a loose ball in the end zone to kill the momentum.
Ray Barkwill went over off the back of a rolling maul to make things a little interesting, but a second try to Te’o removed all doubt in the 70th minute after another assault from the impressive San Diego backline. Robert Meeson got a consolation score just before fulltime to salvage some pride, but the Sacramento coaching staff will be left shaking their heads with a number of errors costing their team dearly.
Also of concern will be the condition of key playmaker Harry Bennett, who came off with a knee injury late in the game. Thankfully Sacramento will enjoy a week off to nurse their wounded and pore over the game tape to iron out their difficulties. San Diego will stay at home to play Denver next Sunday, full of confidence and ready to start a first-ever winning streak.
SAN DIEGO 37
Tries – M. Te’o 2 (19, 70), P. Mackenzie (26), C. Garber (49)
Cons – K. Morath (27)
Pens – K. Morath 5 (4, 10, 16, 29, 75)
SACRAMENTO 24
Tries – K. Sumsion (45), R. Barkwill (55), R. Meeson (78)
Cons – H. Bennett 2 (46, 56), M. Bergamasco (78)
Pens – H. Bennett (8)
SAN DIEGO
1 Hubert Buydens 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai (Epeli Kalemani 78) 3 Sam Taungakava (Kakalia Pule HT) 4 David Dolinar 5 Brian Doyle (Tai Tuisamoa 2) 6 Nikola Bursic (Chris Turori 56) 7 Cecil Garber 8 Sione Tu’ihalamaka 9 Charlie Purdon (Tom Bliss 56) 10 Kurt Morath (Kalei Konrad 75) 11 Tim Stanfill 12 Phil Mackenzie (capt.) 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Pono Haitsuka 15 Mike Te’o
Not used: Tim Barford, Ben Leatigaga
SACRAMENTO
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo (Toke Kefu 77) 2 Ray Barkwill (Kali Tavake 77) 3 Olive Kilifi (Estephan Tuamasaga 77) 4 Robert Meeson 5 Sione Sina 6 Kyle Sumsion 7 John Quill (capt.) 8 Sione Latu (Langi Haupeakui 50) 9 Chris Saint 10 Harry Bennett (Nemia Qoro 71) 11 Ryan Thompson (Ryan Koewler 63) 12 Pate Takiveikata 13 Mirco Bergamasco 14 Joeli Tikoisuva 15 Garrett Brewer (Jope Motokana 56)
Not used: Rich Knight
Referee: Scott Green
Assistants: Nick Ricono & Marc Nelson
Attendance: 2,500
