OLYMPIC CLUB 34 San Mateo 20 Referee: Bruce CarterTouch Judges: Jim Crenshaw, Isaac CaselisEvaluator: Dixon SmithInterested Observer Listening in on the Radio: Bryan PorterI was totally jacked to be refereeing first versus second in the NorCal mens D1. Having done my first such 1 v. 2 match in the spring of 1989, at the end of my first season of refereeing, I can say that the butterflies are still as many and still as active.Due to the weather, the game was laid on for 3 PM at Haywards home pitch. A late start ensued due to an U-14 game between Hayward and Lamorinda, refereed by Isaac Caselis.Interesting start: San Mateos kick did not go ten meters. Olympic won the scrum, ran a switch move and scored a converted try not one minute into the match.And then, when the first half ended with a San Mateo player earning a red card and his team down 15 3, it might have looked like a long way back.But this high-speed, high-intensity game continued with O Clubs first half tackle-related penalties coming home to roost. One player went to the bin for his third different infraction (not rolling away, playing the ball from the ground, not allowing the release), and another for the teams fourth holding on when isolated. These overlapped by seven minutes, during which time Albert Tuipulotu started making inroads and San Mateo started making big ground.They deficit was reduced to seven points and stayed there most of the second half, with everything seeming to ride on every possession. But it was the Olympic Club who scored the last try to put the game away.Seconds: Olympic Club 40 (6) SAN MATEO 51 (9) Referee: Mike GadouaO Club started well, but once San Mateo settled down, they started performing.
SAN MATEO RFC 19 - SFGG 37 Congratulations to the SFGG team on a very physical and competitive game! Although, with all due respect to the NCRFU Referee Society, calls by the referee were very VERY debatable and at numerous instances NOT made at all! Its sad that two very good teams ready to play what would have been a more entertaining game ended up playing in a ruined one! Yet in the end its the final score on the board that matters. Hopefully, latter games (ESPECIALLY in a USA RUGBY Division ONE competition) would bring more CONSISTENT and ACCURATE calls as it should. On a better note it was great to see one of SMRFC's former players Tasi Mounga playing an excellent classy game for SFGG and wishing you, along with our very own Vahafolau Esikia and Alipate Tuipulotu, the best in Eagles camp! GOOD LUCK to SFGG on the rest of the '07 Season! See you in the second round!!
SAN MATEO 45 (5) Sacramento Lions 23 (3) Referee: Tim Luscombe (ERRRS)Video Coach: Bruce CarterSan Mateo (45) Sacramento (23)Firstly, thank you to Pete for giving up the game.San Mateo and Sacramento played a closely contested first half with neither team taking a clear lead. While Sacramento seemed to get the better of the early exchanges and drew first score with a penalty, it was San Mateos driving maul that was rewarded with a try. While Sacramento could not find much penetration from their driving maul, it was a poor clearance from a San Mateo defensive lineout that gifted Sacramento a deserved try for all the forward graft. Soon it was time for Sacramentos backs to show that they too could play with a quickly taken penalty on their own 1m line, spreading the ball wide for a few passes before a series of soccer skills along the touchline produced a fine try in the far corner. San Mateo did not drop however and another try brought them with 3 at half time.The second half was more one sided with San Mateos fitness proving to be the deciding factor. Three tries to one left the game in no doubt including a 60m blindside move from a kick off that left Sacramento stranded. Final score of 45 to 23 doesnt do justice after Sacramentos first half performance but San Mateos superior fitness ensured a comfortable victory.Once again, thanks for the game and hospitality I always receive in NorCal. See you at the 7s!Seconds: SAN MATEO 35 (5) Sacramento Lions 24 (3) Referee: Bruce CarterA good crowd remained at San Mateo High School after such an entertaining first side match, encouraged no doubt by weather that made spectating downright pleasant. There was no wind, with hazy sun and temperatures in the sixties.Much as in the first game, Sacramento had the early run of play and led at the half, only to have San Mateo put several tries close together in the second for the victory.
