That was the number of spectators at tonights Semi Final clash between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs. The first time these two teams have met in a finals game in about ten years. And yes, I was there. What an atmosphere it was with probably a 70/30 favoured Eels following. This was the first footy final I have ever been to and I have not left disappointed. A close game for much of the game ensured I was always a roller coaster of emotions before a superb finish made sure I walked back to the car a happy man.

I have been spending a lot of time lately working on the SLO Rugby website, the rugby club I play for. It’s coming along extremely well. I just wanted to let any readers know this in case they had noticed not much work going into my new personal site.

I promise, I will get this finished!!

Thanks
Michael

Round 2 of the rugby season, here is the match report:

I remember a bleak day for San Luis Obispo rugby at the end of the 2000 season. We had moved our home game from Riverbottom to Atascadero to promote the game in the north county. Our opponents that day were the Huskers from Kern County, and San Luis hopes were positive that we could salvage some pride from a disappointing season. The outcome couldn’t have been further from those aspirations, as a rampant Kern XV obliterated us by around seventy (yes, that’s right, 70) points in a crushing, embarrassing defeat. Those players who were around that day, and in years before have many memories of solid defeats, though none as humiliating as that game) at the hands of the boys from Bakersfield. Kern has owned us for the last 4 or 5 years, inflicting many mental and physical scars in the process of scoring 9 consecutive wins over the SLO club.

Every streak must come to an end, as they say, as did San Luis Obispo’s on Saturday at Riverbottom.

The day didn’t start well for the Huskers, who arrived to discover they had forgotten their jerseys, and would have to take the field in SLO’s reserve uniforns. And things didn’t get any better for them when San Luis shot to an early 17-0 lead twenty minutes into the game. Flanker Jeff Bailey opened the scoring in the twelfth minute, taking a well timed quick tap and barging over from 10 metres out. Eight minutes later, a slick backline movement created just enough space for Michael to scamper 50 metres in his usual elusive fashion. This try was built upon by a penalty minutes later, as it seemed the floodgates might be about to burst open.

Kern, to their credit, would not lay down and began to mount their comeback. What followed for the next 20 minutes will go down as one of the great defensive efforts the San Luis club has ever seen. After advancing the ball to our 10 metre line, the Kern forward surged relentlessly time and time again, only to be stopped dead in their tracks by a brick wall in the shape of a proud SLO defense. Kern at one stage had 10 phases inside our 10 metre line to come up empty handed, remarkable as they have one the biggest, most intimidating packs in the league. Finally, the Kern pack found a gap in the line and crossed right on half time as the San Luis players had tackled themselves to a standstill. Halftime score 17-7.

The second half was a little more open, as tired bodies translated to looser defense. The play moved up and down the field without either team gaining the ascendancy, but it was a penalty to San Luis Obispo that opened up the lead to 13 points. A short time later, a failed kick for touch proved costly for SLO, and Kern’s devastating loose-head capitalized by scoring in the corner. The conversion failed: SLO 20, Kern 12.

San Luis Obispo needed to be the next to score, and they were with yours truly slotting a long penalty to give an 11 point lead, and then in the final minute of regulation time, veteran prop Craig Marlo put his head down and found the tryline to give SLO the safety cushion they needed. Kern’s rampaging prop crossed for his third try of the day in injury time, but to no avail as there was no time for the kickoff.

Hats off to the entire SLO fifteen, particularly the forwards who played the collective game of their lives and were hungrier than their mean, heavier and more experienced counterparts. Scott Lucas, in only his second game on the flank was a standout in a forward pack that were outstanding to a man. The eagerly anticipated return of star number eight Ross Moriarty didn’t disappoint, and rookie prop Craig Thorstenson made some inspirational hits to keep Kern on the back foot. Sean Bolduan showed enough spark to show that he could become a fixture in the centers, and the backline, who took a backseat to the forwards this day, showed a glimpse of their capabilities in open play.

In another first for several years, SLO fielded a completely fresh B side with only two exceptions, which is an indication of the growing player depth of the club. They were gallant but well defeated on the day to the tune of 42 – 14. Led by stalwart Reggie Greenwood, they showed great potential and will only get better with every game.

Next week San Luis Obispo travels to UCSB to take on defending champions Santa Barbara.

Score: San Luis Obispo 30 (Michael try; J Bailey try; C Marlo try; L McKay 3 conversions, 3 penalties) defeated Kern County 19

The first game of the rugby season, here is the matc report :

In a see-sawing affair at Riverbottom on Sunday, San Fernando Valley overcame a rusty San Luis Obispo outfit to the tune of 40 – 21.

The first score of the game was in the opening minutes when the Valley boys scored a soft try out wide, capitalizing on a lapse in concentration in the defense. San Luis Obispo again demonstrated their tendency to be slow starters, when they conceded their second try in as many minutes.

The SLO XV started to kick into gear, and got on the scoreboard with a penalty goal in the eighth minute. Minutes later, Deron Brewer finished off the try of the day after a sweeping backline movement, involving more than half the team, gave him just enough space to dive over in the corner.

Half a dozen phases following the restart, Michael picked up a loose ball from a Valley mistake, and wove his way through four defenders to score a brilliant solo try as SLO went up 13 – 10. Consistent with the pattern of play to that point, San Fernando hit back quickly to register their third try. Fortunately for San Luis, the San Fernando kicker wasn’t on his game, as all three tries went unconverted. Ten minutes before the half, yours truly potted a drop goal to give San Luis Obispo a one-point lead at the break.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first for the first 30 minutes, as both teams desperately tried to gain an advantage, and it was the San Luis defense that cracked first, allowing a try and two penalties. San Luis hit back as Michael scored his double, chasing down a deep kick from flanker Ben Green. SLO was only trailing by a couple of point, and the game was still anyone’s. San Luis Obispo appeared to be building a promising succession of phases when disaster struck – a misdirected SLO pass found its way into the hands of the most dangerous player on the field, the Valley fullback. He sprinted 40 metres to score under the posts, to all but break the back of the SLO team. In a disappointing finish, San Luis Obispo turned the ball over on the Valley 15 metre line, and they took the ball 85 metres to score right on full time.

The two late Valley tries really blew out the score, in what everyone would agree was a fiercely contested, even game. For San Luis, Jeff Bailey playing in the unfamiliar position of Number 8 was involved in everything, as was Scott Lucas, playing in the backrow for the first time. It was promising to see the return for San Luis Obispo of center Forest Nielsen who had a solid game.

In the end, turnovers in rucks proved very costly for SLO, who could easily have won this game if their mistakes were reduced. In the forward pack, stalwarts Andy Adams and Ross Moriarty, both former MVP’s were missed, for both their leadership and skill.

After the game, Larry Ferguson presented the San Fernando coach with the Chobham Ball- a trophy contested each time these two old foes play. It was hard to give away, and we will endeavour to win it back later in the season!

Kern County travels to Riverbottom next week for what should be a torrid battle.

Score: San Fernando Valley 40 defeated San Luis Obispo 21 (Michael 2 tries; D Brewer try; L McKay penalty, field goal)

My first pre-season rugby game of the year went well. Here is an article posted after the game on the Slorugby website:

San Luis Obispo and archrivals Arroyo Grande clashed at Riverbottom Field on Saturday, where the SLO team continued its recent dominance of its neighbor.

The local derby between these two proud clubs is always hotly contested, and Saturday was no exception as the teams vied for local supremacy. Both teams started a large number of rookies in an attempt to get these players as much exposure to competition experience before the league opens in mid January.

It was the underdogs Arroyo Grande who exploded out of the blocks faster, piecing together several promising raids on the SLO line, however it was San Luis Obispo’s electrifying fullback Michael who drew first blood with a scintillating solo try against the flow of the game in the sixth minute, showing off his trademark sidestep magnificently in the process. Not long after, the Arroyo Grande boys had a moment of glory themselves as they scored an impressive team try under the posts to draw level. The score would remain 5-5 at the half.

The first 20 minutes after the resumption of play belonged to Arroyo Grande, whose defense was stifling any attacking moves and causing countless errors and turnovers from the men in red. They finally turned pressure into points when the Arroyo Grande turned the ball over in a San Luis Obispo ruck, and their open side flanker scored in the right corner. This would prove to be their final moment of triumph.

San Luis Obispo, led by barnstorming prop Craig Thorstenson came charging back, setting up multiple phases, and culminating in a forwards try awarded to the effervescent flanker Jeff Bailey in the 63rd minute. Bailey was everywhere on the day, stepping up to lead a very inexperienced pack from the front. His play was inspirational, and was capped off when he crossed again five minutes later to score the try that broke Arroyo Grande’s spirit.

Special mention must be made of several players efforts – most notably Sean Bolduan who stepped in to scrum-half for the first time, and held his own against AG’s wily number nine. Devin Pope, playing his second game ever is improving exponentially each week and will be a force to be reckoned with later in the season. Finally, rookie prop Craig Thorstenson showed signs that he will be a dominant force in the months to come, pulling off some bruising tackles and crushing runs through the heart of the Arroyo Grande pack.

With the return of stalwarts Andy Adams, Ross Moriarty and Bobby Evans, and backs Nick Filice, Deron Brewer, Forest Nielsen and Lief McKay, the SLO team looks to have the ingredients in place for a successful season.

San Luis Obispo has now recorded five straight victories against Arroyo Grande.

Score: San Luis Obispo 19 defeated Arroyo Grande 10

MVP: Jeff Bailey