Diablo Gaels Monthly Gazette

San Jose State 10 – DIABLO GAELS U23, 107

Sat March 22, 09

Referee: Anna McMahan
Referee Coach: Dixon Smith

Despite weather forecasts for overcast skies in San Jose, SJSU hosted the match with beautiful sunny skies and a well-lined pitch. I wasn't sure what to expect from the match since I had not seen either team before, and watching the pre-game warmups did not clarify my expectations any. Diablo's warm up seemed extremely casual, while SJSU was more focused but struggled to have 15 before the kick-off.

Once the game started, it was quickly clear which team would dominate. Diablo scored within two minutes, and never looked back. They racked up 10 tries in the first half from 5 different players, and converted 4 tries. SJSU played with persistence, but had a difficult time containing the hard running Diablo players, who offloaded extremely well in the tackle. SJSU slotted one penalty goal for their only points in the half.

The second half was rather more of the same, with the Diablo line up changing throughout (non-league match = open subs). They again scored within the first two minutes, and managed nine tries from five different players in the second half. They only converted two of the tries, for a full time score of 107. SJSU persisted in their play, and were rewarded with their only try of the match, scored on a break by their outside center and then converted. Tempers stayed surprisingly even during such a one-sided 80 minutes, with only one altercation of note. Kudos to Jad and Ben, SJSU and Diablo captains respectively, for communicating with me and their teammates effectively.

DIABLO GAELS U23 VS CAL MARITIME

Friday March 14
Vallejo, CA

The U -23 side trekked to Cal Maritime Academy (CMA) to play a cross bay rivalry. Kicking off went to CMA,
the boys encountered a fit and discipline side that waste no time in moving the ball down the field and scoring and converting at the 3 minute mark. Approximately 2 minutes later, they scored again converted. The boys not entirely settled down began to counter and play defense. However, with a nifty kick and backs chasing they scored and converted for the third time in the first 20 minutes.
The next twenty saw the U-23 retain play and approximately 40 meters out Tim Maupin, took the ball to the blind side of the ruck and with powerful running and using football moves scored under the posts.
In the second half, CMA came back to score and hit a penalty to raise the score 29 - 7. However, the tables would turn as two scores on long runs by speedy Jordan Lewis brought the score to 29-21.
Poor Discipline causing yellow card, in turn a red for arguing over a call and using choice language, resulted in the boys playing with 14 players for the remainder of the match. The forwards drove at the five meter line a push over try and converted for a 2 point margin 29 -27. The momentum shift was clearly on the U -23 side and Lokini converted a penalty 29 -30. CMA was driving in side the 40 meter line when, Ricky Isabel picked up a loose ball and raced past the defense to close out the scoring.
Final U -23 37 -29 CMA. Tim Maupin played an outstanding game as did Rich Thewell, Alex, Ricky, Jordan, Benny and William.

Diablo Gaels vs Hayward
Saturday March 15
The Men's A side, played last years national champions, Hayward Griffins, always a competitive strong side. Hayward attacked from the start and took advantage of early mistakes. Not tacking low cost us dearly in the first half. We had some opportunities but were unable to
create any momentum and suffered with white line fever. At the half the score 20 - 0 to the Griffins.
The second half, saw the Gaels came to life, forwards hitting the rucks harder and moving the ball wide. Mone, John, Jake, Tim, Pat, Lokini, Andrew and William began to open up the field to create opportunities. We scored under the posts and converted 20 - 7. Hayward retaliated by scoring and converting also adding aniother penalty. The Gaels in navy blue were not finished and scored and converted and with little time left on the clock scored one more try. A little to late but when we gel, we gel.
Final HG 30 - DG 19.
In a vastly competitive league the margin of winning comes down to tackling and ball retention. When we execute these two fundamentals on the field, we see immediate results. Good tackling results in pressure which results in turn overs which can result in scoring opportunities. We are young and banged up but no excuses. Stick to the basics and you see the results. The pack played well in segments and Jeff Ma, Jack, BJ, Kenny, Mic, Mark, Malele, Passa and Sione keep the ball control to link with backs.

Diablo B's vs HAYWARD GRIFFINS B'S
HG 5 trys - DG 3 trys

An abbreviated match was spirited and saw the young guys mix it up. Tim Maupin filled in again and is going to be the "Rookie of the Year".

Alex Retires - GOOD LUCK WE WILL MISS YOU!

Diablo Gaels 14 – SACRAMENTO LIONS 24 Referee: Scott Wood
Touch Judges: Tammy Cowan (MNRRS) and Gaels supporter
Evaluator: Dixon Smith
Location: Mustang Soccer Complex, Danville, CA
Weather: Cooling and dark supplanted by light standards

We got off to a late start as we had to wait for the soccer match to finish. Both teams contested for the ball well but play generally stayed between the ten meter lines for what seemed to be a long period. Repeated infringements started to occur for both teams. Lions contested hard and low at the tackles and rucks but neither team wanted to release the ball or heed the offside line at rucks. Lions lost a man to the bin near halftime and just before the whistle had a Gaels player join him.

In the second half, the Lions increased the pressure and attacked hard scoring three tries, two converted, to increase the lead 24-0. During that same period, the visitors lost two more players to the sin bin for dangerous tackling (repeated offences).

With ten minutes remaining, the Gaels found its sweet spot and put together an impressive effort scoring two converted tries before the final whistle.

Kudos to both teams for playing a well-contested match. Thanks to Dixon Smith for taking the time to evaluate the match.

Seconds: Diablo Gaels 14 – SACRAMENTO LIONS 17 Ref: Wood
Touch Judges: Tammy Cowan (MNRRS) and John Compaglia

This session featured the Lions A-side with a handful of fresh legs and a Gaels' developmental side. Youth was the name of the game. Fast and fun. Both teams played on an even keel with the Gaels going into the half leading 7-0. The second half found the Lions on attack moving the ball through all 15 players scoring three tries. The first kicker missed and was replaced by the Lions' "small" prop who missed his first attempt (barely) but slotted a beautiful conversion on his third attempt. It is not often you get to see an interesting variation of Johnny Wilkinson. Go ugly early and often. The Gaels turned up and held onto the ball to score a break away try at full time.

DIABLO GAELS U -23 40 - 14 USF Dons

Saturday 01 MARCH 2008
We kicked off against the Dons at the SF Polo Fields. The Dons put up a good defense. We were not utilizing good ball for the first 15 minutes. However, the forwards started retaining ball and we began moving the ball both inside and wide. Once the first score was made the flood gates opened up and it was one score after the other. Big Benny was doing his job and up, over around and through the USF defense. Second half saw Tau and Rickey Isabel make great, intelligent runs and converting them into scores. About 10 minutes left USF put together to drives and were rewarded with two converted trys. However, not to accept the let down in defense, the U- 23's added one more of their own to close out the match.

DIABLO GAELS 19 vs HAGGIS 38

Almost back at full strength but still missing players from injury, the men's side played a seesaw game which saw both side scoring on some well constructed play and some heads up loose play. We were in the game for about 68 minutes, scoring three trys, converting two. Perhaps we let the officiating take our heads out of the game and in the last 12 minutes our tackling and communication skills let us down. But it was a match to build on for Sacramento. It was nice to welcome back Mone and Malele to the squad.

DIABLO GAELS B Men 24 -14 Salt Lake City B
The young squad, was not intimidated by Salt Lake and put 4 trys on the board, converting 2. They played good defense and scrum half Tau taking the ball through channel one untouched for a 60 meter try was a good way to close out the match.

Diablo Gaels 17 – HAGGIS 44

Referee: Paul Bretz
Touch Judge: John Coppinger

Haggis visited the Gaels and went back to Utah with a 44-17 victory. However at the half time break the crowd believed the Gaels were the stronger team as they appeared to be more fit. The difference at half was only 2 points (12-10). The score remained so until the 50th minute when Haggis quickly scored 4 trys. The Gaels ended the game on a high note with a try with no time left.

A MOMENT OF SHAME
"courtesy of Pelican Refs"
Diablo Gaels U23 – Haggis seconds

"This can’t be right – there were a number of refs present for the game before this one but just because none of them had been assigned to this match they all left, even though two teams were clearly warming up to play.

This is a dark mark on the NCRRS.

We simply do not have the numbers to cover anywhere near all of the games in NorCal. We do not expect everyone who referees a first side match to do the second side match – people get tired or injured, previous commitments have been made, the baby sitter has a time limit.

But when there are a number of refs on hand, to think that they would each turn their back on thirty players eager for their week’s fulfillment, that’s not the Pelican Society that your writer joined."

Thank you sir - Diablo Gaels Rugby!