Moto:   BASIC RUGBY, PLAYED WELL 

             AND TO PERFECTION AT PACE!

Sat, April 07, 2007

Diablo Gaels   – HAYWARD

We knew going into this match that we were the under dog with our young side.  Veterans Carson Sprott, John Kunz, Mike Cheqer were the elder Statesman of the squad from last season along with second year player Dave Biller.  These guys played well and led our young side to play some exciting rugby.  The young guys were just a step off from turning the tide which with this years experience should look to a good future.  Kyle Batten, at twenty years old showed that he is a force to be reckoned with and played a very good game at the # 8 against a seasoned Hayward side.  Dante Jordan gets better with every game and is beginning to break defenses with his kicking and made a tremendous break to set up our first try.  Jack Boyle and BJ Thompson each played a strong match and did have done a credible job of stepping up to A side.  New comers Nella, Jeff Ma and Jeff (so new I can not find his last name) did well in reserve roles.The young backs Tau, Dave,Benny and Epi are learning the game and gaining confidence each match.We played a much stronger defensive game and tackling was greatly improved over previous matches. Our two scores were off of well constructed play by both back and forwards.We still need to work on covering the cut back runs and spreading wide to fill the gaps although overall again we did a much better job, we just to keep focusing on it.  Also short quick passes will result in moving the ball faster. 

The B side also payed with a lot of heart and gave the same Hayward A side all they could handle.  Led by Nella who has as much heart as any player we have seen constantly pressured on defense and attacked with ball taking on some very well fed Hayward players.  Barney Wair filled in at half back and moved the ball out and we had some very good movements. 

Lots of positives to build on for this weeks match against San Jose.

Sat, March 24, 2007

Diablo Gaels 10  – SAN MATEO 69

A Side

 

Bringing many of our younger players up to play A side, we played better in stretches which shows the younger boys are catching on to playing Men's Divsion I rugby.  In the backs Dante Jordan, played very well and is constantly improving each week, Charlie Smith another first year player along with U-23 players Epi and Tau are beginning to make the transition to DI play which is not easy. 

In the forwards our young players Jeff Ma, BJ, Jack and  Kyle all played hard against a veteran San Mateo squad gaining valuable DI experience.  

Both veterans John Kunz & Carson likewise added experience to our young squad. 

 

Our primary short coming in the match was not consistently tackling and spreading the field.  When we did we stopped Sam Mateo.  When we controlled the ball on the attack, we made yardage but were not consistent and patient on keeping control especially in the the oppositions 20 meter line. 

We are showing steady signs of improvement with our younger players and with two games left we still have a chance to win them.  We need to learn from our mistakes and bring that experience into the remaining matches.

 

The B's

 Diablo Gaels 25  – SAN MATEO 46

 

The young guys were basically giving San Mateo all they could handle and showing strong pressure on the San Mateo back line and very good tackling.  Tied at 22 - 22 our boys fought well before a several  late

scores by substituted A side players put San Mateo ahead at the end.  Our young guys played very well against a veteran side of players, for young players they were not afraid to tackle or take them on in scrums or lineouts. 

Again our young players have been playing hard and continuing to gaining valuable experience each game.  

Tough to loose but there are good signs of young player talent for the future.   

WHAT THE REFEREE HAD TO SAY:

SAN MATEO 69 – Diablo Gaels 10 Referee: Tony Latu
Evaluator: Mike Malone

I finally arrived at San Mateo High after a three hour drive from Sacramento. 

I felt like Gilligan and the Skipper combined. Both teams were at the side 

line but San Mateo asked for a 1430(2:30) kick off. Diablo beat SM at their

first encounter, but this time SM was ready. Their backs were too strong 

too fast for the young guys from Diablo. But these young guns did not give 

up. They tried to stay with these SM boys, but sometimes your best is too 

little or too small too late. Thanks to Mike Malone for being available

and watch me on Saturday.

Seconds: SAN MATEO 46 over Diablo Gaels 25 Referee: John Coppinger
Assessor: Bryan Porter

80 minutes of 7s style attacking rugby played in good sprits.

Gaels tied the match 22-22 with about 11 minutes left, only to have

 San Mateo run in three quick tries.

The peanut gallery swelled for the 4:30 PM kickoff with the addition

 of Frank Merrill, Paul Bretz and Bruce Carter, all of whom had been

 at the St. Mary’s – Cal game. They greeted Tony and Mike, both of

 whom had to leave after the first-side match, and left Bryan Porter

 alone to concentrate on John’s game.

A memorable moment occurred when Mr. Bretz light-heartedly heckled

Mr. Batten regarding his performance as a touch judge.

“Hey, Harry! Aren’t you supposed to be monitoring the conversion kick?”

“Just like you’re supposed to monitor the offside line!”

Sat, March 17, 2007

Diablo Gaels 15 (2) – OLYMPIC CLUB 57 (8)

Referee: David Pope
Touch Judges: Jackie Finck and John Pohlman
On a hot day in Pleasant Hill, O Club were too strong for Diablo.

The game started fast and fairly even, with Diablo scoring first

from a penalty goal. O Club was then able to turn up the heat on

Diablo and dominated the rest of the first half, scoring 3 

converted tries and a penalty. The first 25 minutes of the 

second half was a good battle, with both teams scoring a couple 

of tries. Unfortunately for Diablo, their tackling deserted them 

in the last 15 minutes and they gave up 3 more tries.

Seconds: Diablo Gaels 17 (3) – OLYMPIC CLUB 50 (8)

Referee: John Pohlman
Touch Judges: Dave Pope & Jackie Finck

Diablo hosted Olympic Club at Diablo Canyon College. I ran touch

for the first side game and was able to convince Jackie Finck

and Dave Pope to stay around and run touch for me. Thanks so much.

Dave and Jackie helped me control this testy game.

This game was much closer than the score. Both teams contested

hard at the breakdown and both wanted to spin it wide. O-Club

was lead by their center #12 who scored at least three tries.

On the hot winter day Diablo played hard but faded in the last

twenty minutes of the first half to give up four tries.

The first half ended O-Club 38 Diablo 0.

Diablo's big players started making breaks and scored three tries

in the second half to Olympic Club's two.

Saturday, March 10:

SF/GOLDEN GATE 46 – Diablo Gaels 26

Referee: Paul Bretz

SFGG continue to improve upon their record beating a resilient Diablo

side 46-26. Both teams spun the ball wide and with abandon. However

the SFGG side had too many weapons.

Seconds: SF/GOLDEN GATE 36 (5) – Diablo Gaels 24 (4)

Referee: Giles Wilson
A game played with many young players on both sides along with

a healthy dose of experience on another nice day on TI.

Gate had more experience an took a 15 – 5 score into half 

time courtesy of 2 tries, one penalty and a conversion against

a single try. In the second half, Gaels started driving better

and making penetrating runs, countered by the Gate resourcefulness.

Each side scored 3 second half tries – Gate converted all of 

them while Gaels only converted two.