Cathedral Remains Undefeated, Wins SCIRF Title
Cathedral Remains Undefeated, Wins SCIRF Title
The Cathedral Catholic Dons and Fallbrook Warriors faced off Friday night for the 5th version of the So Cal Interscholastic Rugby Federation (SCIRF) Championship.
During what has been a rain-filled week in Southern California, the teams were lucky that the rain held off for this clash. However, windy conditions helped and hindered both teams. To their credit, both teams handled the kicking game well.
In the end, the Dons defeated the Warriors 45-0 ending their season 9-0. It was the Dons’ third straight SCIRF championship, in which their record during the run was 24-2 and included victories over Jesuit Sacramento, Regis Jesuit of Colorado and St Joseph’s Prep of Philadelphia.
Cathedral opted to take the wind to start the game. Fallbrook came out of the starting blocks firing on all cylinders and kept the Dons under sustained pressure for the first five minutes of the game. But the Dons were able to use the wind and pin down the Warriors’ within their five meter line. Off the ensuring ruck, Cade Smith was able to score the first try of the game for a 5-0 lead.
The Dons again pinned down the Warriors via a crossfield kick. They were then able to move the ball back across the field to wing Will Bond who dotted down in the corner. Spencer Huntley converted on his way to a 5-for-7 evening.
For the next 15 minutes both teams pounded each other trying to gain both field and physical advantage. Off a quick tap penalty move, Sean Kagen touched down for the converted try and a 19-0 Cathedral lead. Spencer Huntley capped off the first half when he found a hole in the Warrior defense to run one in at the corner. Huntley hit the tough conversion and it was 26-0 at the break.
The physical battle continued in the second half with both sides using their kicking games to probe for an advantage. Despite having the wind, the Warriors could not break through the Dons defense. Bond scored his second try of the night following a 50-meter line break from Cade Smith. Minutes later Matt Hammond touched down after another long run by Lewis Case, That made it 38-0 with 10 minutes to play. Cathedral center Rocco Balistreri closed out the scoring with a quick pick-and-go from a ruck that saw Sean Kagan go 40 meters before offloading to Balistreri in support.
Dons coach Glenn Irvine praised a total team effort.
"The team practiced all week regardless of weather conditions to prepare for the final with a specific emphasis on defense, which paid dividends for the team Friday night," he said.
