Denver survive Sacramento scare

The Stampede are back in the win column after a 29-13 victory over visiting Sacramento, but not without dealing with a committed Express side who led 10-8 at the break and were at arms length until a couple late scores stretched the gap. It wasn’t the most exciting spectacle, with numerous errors committed by players of both teams, but Denver will be happy to come through the test with their first win at their new home of CIBER Field.

A lethargic start in the Denver heat saw neither side find the score sheet until the 18th minute, when Will Magie connected on a penalty goal. Mirco Bergamasco followed up with one of his own to make the score even, a fair reflection of the match considering the lack of ambition shown by both.

Slowly but surely Denver’s forwards started to creep into the match. After working themselves into position, an attack down the blindside and quick hands from Pedrie Wannenburg put Lynton Mare over in the corner in his first PRO start. Magie’s conversion couldn’t find the uprights but the Stampede appeared to be gaining momentum.

Sacramento were not about to give up so easily, however, and a high tackle from replacement Jake Turnbull in scoring position landed the prop in the bin. Scrum the subsequent scrum Kyle Sumsion peeled off the back and scrambled over for a seven-pointer, and with it the unlikely lead for the Express heading in to the break.

It was Denver who came out stronger in the second half. Despite being down a man in the forwards, their driving maul was used to classic effect with captain Wannenburg the man to take the honors over the line. Again Magie couldn’t convert, but he made good on a penalty after a 10-minute stalemate to edge his team out to a six point lead.

Bergamasco brought the Express back to within three with a well-struck penalty from beyond the 40 meter line soon after to set up a tense closing quarter. From nearly the same spot he pulled it right four minutes later, and instead it was Magie who found his range to put Denver out of penalty reach with 10 minutes to play.

A clean line break from Zac Pauga ended nearly 50 meters down the pitch and though the Stampede couldn’t turn it into a try, it was another gift kick for Magie. The flyhalf made no mistake and made it a two-score game to allow a little breathing room for the home side. Wannenburg’s score on the last play put a stamp on a workmanlike effort.

The Express head back to California where they will play neighbors San Francisco in a local derby. Denver enjoy a week off before hosting San Diego in a key match on July 10.

DENVER 29
Tries – L. Mare (28), P. Wannenburg 2 (44, 80)
Cons – W. Magie (80)
Pens – W. Magie 4 (18, 56, 70, 76)
Yellow cards – J. Turnbull (39)

SACRAMENTO 10
Tries – K. Sumsion (40)
Cons – M. Bergamasco (40)
Pens – M. Bergamasco 2 (23, 59)

DENVER STAMPEDE
1 Nick Wallace 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Soane Leger 4 Lynton Mare 5 Brodie Orth 6 Zac Pauga 7 Logan Collins 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.) 9 Mose Timoteo 10 Will Magie 11 Dustin Croy 12 Ata Malifa 13 Timana Tahu 14 Mike Garrity 15 Maximo de Achaval

16 Hanco Germishuys 17 Luke White 18 Jake Turnbull 19 Mikhail Kosyan 20 John Godinet 21 Bobby Impson 22 Kyle Hitt 23 Michael Al-Jiboori

SACRAMENTO EXPRESS
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo 2 Cameron Falcon 3 Eric Fry 4 Robert Meeson 5 Sione Sina 6 Ryan Koewler 7 Kali Tavake 8 Kyle Sumsion 9 Chris Saint 10 Harry Bennett 11 Ryan Thompson 12 Mirco Bergamasco (capt.) 13 Nemia Qoro 14 Cody Jerabek 15 Garrett Brewer

16 n/a 17 Estephan Tuamasaga 18 Olive Kilifi 19 Matt Doubek 20 Sione Latu 21 Jope Motokana 22 Pate Takiveikata 23 Alex Hodgkinson

Referee: Scott Green
Assistants: Leah Berard & Marc Nelson