Sacramento tops San Francisco in thriller

Hometown heroes Sacramento put visiting San Francisco to the sword in the first ever televised PRO Rugby match from Bonney Field on Sunday. In direct contrast to the frozen tundra of Denver, the pitch was in perfect condition and allowed for 80 minutes of running rugby, with eight tries delighting the 3,400 strong crowd en route to a 37-25 score.

Mirco Bergamasco opened the scoring for Sacramento with a penalty goal just shy of the three minute mark, but San Francisco wasted little time finding a response through Alec Gletzer. The Eagles flanker barreled over the line on a short run, converted by Volney Rouse to give the visitors the lead. Rouse added a penalty shortly after to stretch it to seven.

Sacramento was losing the collisions but winning the set piece, and soon their game breakers made their presence known. Jope Motokana tore off the back of a ruck around the fringe defense and clear through to the line untouched for a great score. It was another cracker within minutes, as Harry Bennett found space with a long kick ahead and Garrett Brewer snatched the ball off the turf one-handed for a terrific runaway effort.

The phase play of San Francisco was taking its toll, however, and soon the gaps appeared for Rouse to slide through and step inside the cover defense for a swift reply. He converted his own to re-take the lead and make the score 17-13 at the break.

It was San Francisco who came out fastest after the intermission, with a half-break from Nick Blevins putting Siupeli Sakalia into space and the big no8 did the rest. The tide began to turn soon after, however, and discipline, or a lack thereof, became a major issue for the visitors.

First second row Nick Grass had a moment of madness, shoving Kyle Sumsion to the deck with a face massage with it. The temporary insanity earned Grass a yellow card with replays suggesting a date with the judiciary might follow in the week. Hooker Tom Coolican made matters worse by collapsing a rolling maul, an act deemed cynical and he was summarily dispatched as well to sit for 10.

Down to only 13 men, the score was inevitable and it came through a penalty try as the Sacramento pack piled their weight into the shorthanded San Francisco scrum. Martini Talapusi knocked over a penalty in response, but the extra energy used to make up for the two missing forwards took its toll on the San Francisco pack.

Olive Kilifi burrowed over after hard work from his fellow heavyweights, and a beautifully struck drop goal from 40 metres by Bennett meant that San Francisco needed a try to draw level. It wasn’t to be, however, and a wide ball went to replacement Ryan Koewler, and the long-striding flanker – originally slated to cover wing – raced away from beyond half way to wrap up the historic win.

Sacramento now sit at the top of the PRO table after one week as they travel to face the star-studded San Diego team at Torero Stadium on Saturday, April 23. San Francisco will look for redemption in their home opener as they host Denver at Boxer Stadium on Sunday, April 24.

SACRAMENTO 37
Tries – J. Motokana (24), G. Brewer (29), Penalty try (64), O. Kilifi (72), R. Koewler (80)
Cons – M. Bergamasco 3 (65, 73, 80)
Pens – M. Bergamasco (3)
Drop goal – H. Bennett (78)

SAN FRANCISCO 25
Tries – A. Gletzer (8), V. Rouse (34), S. Sakalia (43)
Cons – V. Rouse 2 (9, 35)
Pens – V. Rouse (14), M. Talapusi (68)
Yellow cards – N. Grass (60), T. Coolican (62)

SACRAMENTO
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo (Toke Kefu 7-13) 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Olive Kilifi 4 Robert Meeson 5 Sione Sina 6 Kyle Sumsion 7 John Quill (capt.) (Ryan Koewler 73) 8 Sione Latu (Rich Knight 60) 9 Jope Motokana (Chris Saint 43) 10 Harry Bennett 11 Ryan Thompson 12 Pate Takiveikata (Nemia Qoro 58) 13 Mirco Bergamasco 14 Rashad Harbor 15 Garrett Brewer (Josh Holland 65)

Not used: Josh Inong, Kali Tavake

SAN FRANCISCO
1 Maka Tameilau (Fancy Namulau’ulu 60) 2 Tom Coolican 3 Patrick Latu (capt.) (Niko Lolohea 68) 4 Nick Grass 5 Siaosi Mahoni (Jacob Finau 50) 6 Sam Finau 7 Alec Gletzer 8 Siupeli Sakalia (Isaac Helu 76) 9 Michael Reid (Devereaux Ferris HT) 10 Volney Rouse (Orene Ai’i HT) 11 Jack O’Hara 12 Martini Talapusi 13 Nick Blevins 14 Michael Haley (Junior Helu 60) 15 Jake Anderson

Not used: Charles Mateo

Referee: Nick Ricono
Assistants: Scott Green & George O’Neil

Attendance: 3,400