The Northern California Boys select side defeated the England Lambs, the national select side of independent schools players, 23-10 Sunday at the SFGG club’s Treasure Island facility.

In front of a strong and vocal crowd, the NorCal side used their superiority in the forwards to out-ruck the Lambs and make up for their lack of good lineout possession. NorCal didn’t necessarily have a size superiority but they worked hard and won the breakdown. That led to two tries Sam Tofi (Archbishop Riordan). Peninsula Green’s Erik Cortinas kicked two penalties, while Tevita Mailau of Hayward converted both tries and added a penalty.

But the NorCal’s success lived and died - and mostly lived - with the play of loose forward Lopeti Liu and Nate Becker, both of Danville. Becker was the openside flanker and captain and led from the front, while Liu was the No. 8 and named by both teams as player of the game.

“For three practices this team did really well,” said NorCal coach Mark Carney. “SFGG hosted us really well, the Lambs were great, and it was a great game. We’re really proud of the kids.”

The Lambs now face Jesuit of Sacramento and touring New Zealand team Westlake. Then they go north to Seattle to play the Rugby Washington Loggers.

 

NorCal HS Select Side Roster:

Anthony Pedroia, Davis

Lorenzo Richardson, Danville

Pasimi Hingano, Danville

Nash Nunes, Davis

Josh Warnock, Peninsula Green

Austin Cowdery, Danville

Nathan Becker, Danville

Lopeti Liu, Danville

Erik Cortinas, Peninsula Green

Line Latu, Peninsula Green

Larry Hardy, North Sacramento

Kevin Saunders, Danville

Eli Hernandez, Alameda

Tevita Lopeti, Peninsula Green

Naima Fualaau, Hayward

Sam Tofi, Riordan

Juan Cervantes, Peninsula Green

Peyton Ilalio, Riordan

Jason Beard, Peninsula Green

Aiden O’Driscoll, SFGG

Josh Wells, Riordan

Tevita Mailau, Hayward

Alex Phillips, Mother Lode

Bobby Baffico, River City

Michael Pragg, Granite Bay

Isiah Dittmar, Bullard

Mikaele Lomano, North Sacramento

CJ Hale, Bellarmine Prep

Josh Greenfield, Davis

Injured - Owen O’Mahoney, Bellarmine Prep