Denver scrum mauls San Francisco

Denver made it two wins from two as they ground San Francisco into submission on the back of a totally dominant scrum that contributed to virtually every score. The final tally was 35-18, but it could have been more had windy conditions affected Will Magie’s kicking accuracy and the bounce of the ball just eluding Denver chasers on a couple occasions.

It was the home team who got on the board first through a Volney Rouse penalty goal. Magie evened it up after a few minutes but it was Rouse who inspired the first try as he followed up a half break by Alec Gletzer and put Sam Finau into the clear for a fine score.

Denver looked shell-shocked when San Francisco took the ensuing kickoff and worked quick ball for Jack O’Hara to race down the sidelines. Despite a suspect final pass, the try was awarded and San Francisco were off to the races.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for the home side, as the Denver scrum dug their heels in and took one against the head. Pedrie Wannenburg picked left and the skipper had no trouble fending two defenders to come up with the score. A second Magie penalty brought them closer and then it was déjà vu when another San Francisco scrum ended up at Wannenburg’s feet, only this time Logan Collins was on hand to take the offload and the honours just shy of halftime.

Ata Malifa was the next recipient, this time on a Denver put-in. A quick pass from Niku Kruger found the center on the front foot and he stepped through the two tacklers to score. Zach Fenoglio got in on the act soon after, switching to the back row when Wannenburg came off and taking a quick tap to dive over from another dominant scrum. Collins landed a double just five minutes later, breaking off the back to find no opposition and dive over the line.

A yellow card was brandished on Finau for a shoulder charge late in the game, but it only seemed to fire up his team as they piled into a less motivated Denver defense. San Francisco finally got their rewards on full-time as David Tameilau went over from close range.

Denver’s road trip continues on Sunday when they travel to play a dangerous San Diego team at Torero Stadium on Sunday. San Francisco will make the long trip east to Ohio with both sides looking to find their first win of the new season.

SAN FRANCISCO 18
Tries – S. Finau (23), J. O’Hara (25), D. Tameilau (80)
Pens – V. Rouse (4)
Yellow cards – S. Finau (75)

DENVER 35
Tries – P. Wannenburg (29), L. Collins 2 (38, 58), A. Malifa (42), Z. Fenoglio (53)
Cons – W. Magie 2 (39, 54)
Pens – W. Magie 2 (14, 34)

SAN FRANCISCO
1 Maka Tameilau (Codi Jones HT) 2 Jacob Finau (Tom Coolican HT) 3 Patrick Latu (capt.) 4 Siupeli Sakalia 5 Siaosi Mahoni 6 Sam Finau 7 Alec Gletzer (Isaac Helu 45) 8 David Tameilau 9 Devereaux Ferris (Michael Reid 57) 10 Orene Ai’i 11 Jack O’Hara (Michael Haley) 12 Martini Talapusi (Charles Mateo) 13 Nick Blevins 14 Volney Rouse 15 Jake Anderson

Not used: Junior Helu

DENVER
1 Luke White (Jake Turnbull 59) 2 Zach Fenoglio (Gannon Moore 74) 3 Ben Tarr (Soane Leger 68) 4 Christian Wiessing 5 Casey Rock 6 Logan Collins 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrie Wanneburg (capt.) (Nick Wallace 50) 9 Niku Kruger (Mose Timoteo 66) 10 Will Magie 11 Michael Al-Jiboori (Timana Tahu 59) 12 Ata Malifa 13 Chad London (Mike Garrity HT) 14 Dustin Croy (Bobby Impson) 15 Maximo de Achaval

Referee: Leah Berard
Assistants: Derek Summer & George O’Neil