More Close Games On Day 2 of HS Club Nationals
More Close Games On Day 2 of HS Club Nationals
The word after Day One in the HS Club at the Boys HS Nationals was actually two words: “close” and “posts.”
The games were all close on Thursday, and the lesson, especially from the SOC Raptors vs Granite Bay game was, go for posts when you can—the winner has the most points, not the most tries.
Well, as one SOC player said, “lesson learned.”
Going for posts had its influence in the games on Day Two.
SOC Raptors vs United
The Raptors played a much more patient game against a free-flying United team that his hard. The Raptors used the wind better, and when the points were on offer, they took them. They kicked for posts three times and those nine points were the difference in a 26-19 victory.
Also a factor was their kicking from hand. With the wind whipping around the Moose Rugby Grounds all day, the Raptors sent up a series of high ball that caused United fits. While the Utah team showed they could score when you gave them an inch of space, the pressure from the kicks for points and for distance kept the pressure up.
Aspetuck vs Woodlands
Woodlands got his with a couple of injuries and meanwhile Aspetuck decided to unleash their speedsters. The result was a 24-12 win for the Connecticut team. Woodlands, for their part, suffered the biggest defeat of the last five years, which is interesting seeing as it was only 12 points.
Aspetuck, stung by a close loss to Belmont Shore that included a try that may well not have been a legal touchdown, didn’t cry about it and instead played their game. Jaden Seabrook showed that with a superb try that put the game away.
Granite Bay vs San Diego Mustangs
This game was end-to-end and yet low-scoring. Neither team wanted to allow the other to get too far ahead and so the cover defenses were desperate.
With Jonty Lee playing hurt but operating the attack well, and with Riley Elliott counter-attacking superbly from deep, the Mustangs continued to worry the Grizzlies.
Granite Bay, however, got tries from Dominic Soares and Declan Tucker that, with Jackson Launey’s conversions, made it a 14-7 lead late in the game. Neither team could get the momentum-shifting score until Launey had a kickable penalty. The effort was good, and crucial, as it made it a two-score game. San Diego had to press from there and force the game, which somewhat took the pressure off Granite Bay.
The Grizzlies held on 17-7 to book a spot in the final.
Belmont Shore vs Tempe
Two teams that play a little off the cuff and can forget mistakes to create something special produced a hugely entertaining and dramatic game.
Led by Aki Pulu, Tempe powered through against the lighter Belmont Shore side and led 14-5 going into halftime. Belmont Shore was able to get a try in to inch closer. Then, in the second half, Shore started to used the wind a little better. The big turnaround was when Shore held up Tempe in-goal. They then kicked the goalline dropout deep and chased well, pressuring Tempe and, ultimately, producing a try.
Now, we’ll tell you the story that didn’t happen. As far as those on the sideline were concerned, the score was 26-22 to Tempe after the Devils had scored in the corner.
So that set up a potential comeback opportunity for Belmont Shore. But … that wasn’t exactly what happened.
What actually happened was that Belmont Shore, with two tries from Isaac Pua and a try from Ike Mikaele, as well as a forwards try and two conversions from Ryan Curtis Shore led 24-21. Pressure from Shore led to a penalty and, wisely (and according to the theme of the day), Shore opted for the kick as posts. Curtis was true with the kick, making it a 27-21 game. Tempe came back and scored in the corner, but the wind stymied the conversion attempt and it remained 27-26 for Belmont Shore.
After that, Shore attacked once more, got a penalty for a high tackle, kicked for the lineout, and then flyhalf Michael Martinez set up Elijah Lolesio-Pua for a try. The fans thought that was the game-winner, but it was really the game-sealer. Belmont Shore won it 32-26.
“We leave it late every game,” said Head Coach Johnny Pua. “I don’t know why. But I am really proud of the boys. They always keep fighting.”
And they are fit and strong, and in the national final.
Belmont Shore is playing without a handful of seniors who have their high school graduation this weekend. And yet the younger players have stepped into their roles nicely. None more so than Martinez, who was a sub at fyhalf all season only to be asked to start in a national semifinal. He was outstanding.