Express defeat Breakers in See-Saw Battle

Sacramento came away with the 35-27 win against San Diego in a lively encounter at Bonney Field on Saturday evening. After a dominant opening period for the home side, the Breakers enjoyed a purple patch in the second half that saw them erase an 18-3 deficit to take a temporary lead. Unfortunately for them the Express had just enough petrol left in the tank to dot down twice more in response to take the spoils after arguably the most exciting half in PRO Rugby this season.

The two kickers exchanged penalties in the opening minutes before both teams dug in. After nearly 20 minutes of hammer and tong at last a score came to break the game open. Valdemar Lee-Lo muscled into range and his outstretched arm made the line. With San Diego still stunned John Quill was next with the show-and-go from halfway, following up his own pass to amble over for a seven-pointer.

Down 15-3 at the break, the Breakers were in danger of letting the game slip and when Mirco Bergamasco made good on his second penalty five minutes in the result looked just about written in stone. Mike Te’o was having nothing of it. Moving up to scrumhalf when Charlie Purdon came off injured, the live-wire Eagles utility injected some life into the side with a quick tap penalty straight through for a try.

Bergamasco shipped over another kick but Te’o was at it again immediately. Andrew Suniula barged through a tackle and offloaded to his halfback and Te’o did the rest, gassing the cover for another great score. Now concerned with holding the rampant Breakers on the fringes, the Sacramento defense left the outside open and it was just enough for Taku Ngwenya to take the space for a third San Diego try and with Kurt Morath’s conversion the lead was theirs for the first time.

An impressive burst of speed from Ryan Matyas made the fourth try look easy and now it was the Express who were on the rack. Instead of wilting the home side pulled up their socks and when Ngwenya pinched in Garrett Brewer was set free on the left, stepping inside the last man for the score, with Bergamasco’s extras re-taking the lead.

Kyle Sumsion made a gutsy call to turn down an easy three points with four minutes left to instead kick for the corner. The skipper was rewarded as the Express battered away at the line until he tucked in under the defense. The kick from Bergamasco made it eight points and a step too far for San Diego to recover.

The brings a close to the season for San Diego, who will have to wait for the results of San Francisco’s remaining matches to determine their final standing. At only four wins with eight losses it’s fair to say things have not gone according to plan, but they have played their part with an exciting brand of rugby and some of the best tries over the past few weeks.

Sacramento have one more game, at home once again with San Francisco the visitors next Saturday. Pending the result of tomorrow contest between Denver and the Rush, the Express could be playing for a lift out of basement and a happy end to a tumultuous awakening.

SACRAMENTO 35
Tries – V. Lee-Lo (24), J. Quill (27), G. Brewer (71), K. Sumsion (78)
Cons – M. Bergamasco 3 (28, 72, 79)
Pens – M. Bergamasco 3 (5, 45, 54)

SAN DIEGO 27
Tries – M. Te’o 2 (49, 56), T. Ngwenya (60), R. Matyas (67)
Cons – K. Morath 2 (57, 61)
Pens – K. Morath (3)

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

16 Ray Barkwill 17 Olive Kilifi 18 Estephan Tuamasaga 19 Ryan Koewler 20 Sione Latu 21 Ronald Dwyer 22 Joeli Tikoisuva 23 Shane Moore

SAN DIEGO BREAKERS
1 Mason Pedersen 2 Joe Taufete’e 3 Jake Ilnicki 4 Nikola Bursic 5 Tai Tuisamoa 6 Derrick Broussard 7 Cecil Garber 8 Chris Turori 9 Charlie Purdon 10 Kurt Morath 11 Phil Mackenzie (capt.) 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya 15 Mike Te’o

16 Mike Sosene-Feagai 17 Kakalea Pule 18 Epeli Kalemani 19 Pat Blair 20 Bruce Thomas 21 Tim Stanfill 22 Kalei Konrad 23 Pono Haitsuka

Referee: Nick Ricono
Assistants: Derek Summers & Tim Lew