In a very tense clash in Northern California’s Boys Varsity Premier, Jesuit of Sacramento held off Granite Bay 19-17.

Jesuit never trailed in the match, but it was a nailbiter just the same. The Marauders took a 7-0 lead ten minutes into the game when wing Jayme Thomas went over, with Luke Thayer converting. But within five minutes it was all tied up again, as flyhalf Desi Streater zipped in for a try which Jon Rogers converted. 

Granite Bay in green, Jesuit in gold. Photos by Steven Lagorio.

But Jesuit broke the tie soon thereafter, with flanker Garrett Kay going over to make it 12-7. 

That’s how the first half ended, and in the second half, Jesuit pulled ahead by two scores. Inside center Brandon Calk trundled ahead through the Granite Bay defense, and offloaded to Bailey Abercrombie on an excellent support line. Thayer slotted the conversion to make it 19-7.

But Granite Bay wasn’t done. Streater produced a brilliant piece of skill as he chipped over the Jesuit defense, chased, gathered, and scored under the posts. under the posts. Rogers put the kick over and now it was 19-14.

Granite continued to pressure and use their forwards, and for the most part Jesuit held. They did give up a kickable penalty, though, and Rogers was good on the attempt to inch Granite Bay closer at 19-17. Bay had one more shot from long range, but the kick was wide, and Jesuit survived 19-17. Streater was a star for Granite Bay, and Grizzlies forward Justin Oles was a physical force; Christian Dyer and Luke Thayer led the way for Jesuit.

“It was a close game,” said Granite Bay Coach Jason Divine. “But we hit all our work-ons and are building some real cohesion now. We were very physical and dominated scrums.”

“It was a tough game against a strong opponent that really came to play,” said Jesuit Coach John Shorey. “They made it hard on us all game, but these are the games that we need to get better. Credit to Granite Bay and their program, I’m sure we will see them again at the end of the season.”

Jesuit improves to 2-0, while Granite Bay drops to 2-1.