Saint Mary's Tour Already Providing Benefits

01.31.2023College Men

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Saint Mary's looks ahead to Oxford University in a midweek clash with the Dark Blues.

This coming off two close losses for their 1sts and 2nds against Cambridge University of Sunday.

Freshman Iosefa Taiaivao scored two tries for the Gaels in the 1sts game, capping off a move to the edge on one and chasing down a wiper kick for another. Cambridge would answer each time and it was 12-10 at halftime for in favor of the tourists.

Cambridge scored twice in the early going of the second half to take a 24-12 lead. The Gaels battles back and finally got Jake Negrete over to be within a score at 24-17.

But that's as close as they would come.

Erich Storti had a big game in the backs for Saint Mary's setting up tries and generally playing well.

As for the 2nds, Cambridge was able to score on the final play of the game to eke out a 19-14 victory.

Saint Mary's Head Coach Tim O'Brien said his side made too many little errors in the the 1st-side game. But ...

"Everything we wanted to get out of the games we sure did," he added. "We will be a better team for the experience."

Saint Mary's is on a tour of the UK and Ireland under the organization of GRR sponsor Irish Rugby Tours. This tour was first planned in 2021 but had to be delayed due to COVID restrictions. However, because of the relationships Irish Rugby Tours has with its partners, the tour was delayed instead of outright canceled with loss of deposits. IRT plans tours of countries all over the world with rugby matchups and cultural trips built in.

The Gaels play Oxford on Wednesday, and then are off to Ireland to pay Dublin University's Trinity, which is the oldest continuously existing rugby club in the world and is coached by former USA U19 Head Coach and former USA Eagles assistant coach Tony Smeeth.

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