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Denver held off a desperate San Diego attack in the final moments of the match to emerge with their undefeated record intact after a 22-16 victory at Torero Stadium on Sunday. Tries to Zach Fenoglio, Niku Kruger, and Chad London did the damage with Will Magie’s boot contributing seven points and dictating field position for the visitors.
As expected the contrast in styles made for some exciting rugby. The Denver forwards enjoyed a massive advantage in the scrum and tight phases. Their San Diego counterparts battled manfully in the loose, and while their backs didn’t quite get the same opportunities as they did against Sacramento, they were dangerous as advertised with Mike Te’o in particular causing fits with ball in hand.
Kurt Morath knocked over the opening score with a penalty just inside 10 minutes, but it was Denver who took control through their pack and a driving maul ended with Fenoglio holding the ball over the try line. Magie hit the extras and after a whirlwind series of phase play from both sides exchanged penalties with Morath to make it 10-6 at the break for the visitors. The high tempo opening was energy sapping, with several players left gasping at the halftime whistle.
A set move from a lineout and a terrific offload from London put Max de Achaval into space, and the fullback spun it wide to Timana Tahu. The big Australian didn’t quite have the legs to beat Te’o for pace, but managed to shovel the ball back infield where Kruger was trailing to finish off a well-worked score.
Morath struck his third penalty but then Pedrie Wannenburg – putting in a man-of-the-match shift at the back of the scrum – looked to have dotted down on the line for another Denver score. After a brief consultation the match officials ruled it a knock-on, however, and the replays appeared to indicate that the call was correct as the last-gasp effort from Tom Bliss dislodged the ball from the Springbok’s hand.
There was no such relief for San Diego when London went over for the try of the day. Magie’s cross kick was inch-perfect for Martin Knoetze, who got well above Te’o to bat the ball down into London’s hands. Magie’s conversion made it a 13-point game and San Diego’s outlook was grim.
It was Te’o who sparked some life back into his side, however, picking up a loose ball and scampering away to the end zone, only to feed it back inside for his skipper Phil Mackenzie to score closer to the uprights. Kalei Konrad made the conversion count and with four minutes left on the clock there was suddenly only one score in it.
San Diego threw everything into it and Mackenzie came within a foot of the line, but in the ensuing phase the ball was lost forward and with it went the game. Denver will enjoy a week off before a date with Sacramento on May 15, while San Diego drive north to play San Francisco on Sunday May 8.
SAN DIEGO 16
Tries – P. Mackenzie (75)
Cons – K. Konrad (76)
Pens – K. Morath 3 (9, 24, 52)
DENVER 22
Tries – Z. Fenoglio (16), N. Kruger (44), C. London (62)
Cons – W. Magie 2 (17, 63)
Pens – W. Magie (31)
Yellow cards – C. Wiessing (64)
SAN DIEGO
1 Hubert Buydens 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai 3 Epeli Kalemani 4 David Dolinar 5 Nikola Bursic 6 Chris Turori 7 Cecil Garber 8 Sione Tu’ihalamaka 9 Charlie Purdon 10 Kurt Morath 11 Tim Stanfill 12 Phil Mackenzie (capt.) 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Pono Haitsuka 15 Mike Te’o
16 Tim Barford 17 Sam Taungakava 18 Kakalea Pule 19 Tai Tuisamoa 20 Arnold Meredith 21 Tom Bliss 22 Kalei Konrad 23 Ben Leatigaga
DENVER
1 Luke White 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Ben Tarr 4 Christian Wiessing 5 Casey Rock 6 Logan Collins 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.) 9 Niku Kruger 10 Will Magie 11 Timana Tahu 12 Ata Malifa 13 Chad London 14 Martin Knoetze 15 Maximo de Achaval
16 Nick Wallace 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Chris Baumann 19 Gannon Moore 20 Brian Wanless 21 Mose Timoteo 22 Mike Garrity 23 Bobby Impson
Referee: Nick Ricono
Assistants: Leah Berard & Marc Nelson
