NorCal Wrap - Granite Bay Beats Solo

Granite Bay logged an important victory in Rugby NoCal's Premier League this past weekend, defeating the Solo Falcons in a curtain-raiser for the Cal v UBC game.

Playing at Witter Rugby Field was an experience for all of the players, but this was also an important league game for both.

The Grizzlies got on the board early thanks to tries from flanker Dante Bandoni and speedy outside center Garet Ruffner, making it 12-0. The Granite Bay defense created turnovers with aggressive tackles and a good line speed off the mark. Hooker Alex Evans, lock Anders Bergfalk, and prop Doug Mitchell were all a big part of that effort.

Coming fast off the line Granite Bay forced Solo errors and put themselves into scoring position repeatedly. Captain Jon Rogers scored as did new wing Will Risse and the Grizzlies led 27-0 at the break.

In the second half, wing Matt Karp went in at the corner and inside center Kyle Curry weaved his way through the defense. Granite Bay kept up the pressure as Karp sent a chip into in-goal Ruffner to touch down. Ruffner scored three tries on the day. Flyhalf Desi Streater also dotted down after a nifty run up the middle. 

Solo would not go out without a fight and put together a couple of well earned tries late in the game when center D'lorin McMullen exploited the GB defense for a 90-meter tear, before delivering a beautiful offload to David Klein on the wing. Next was a slashing run off the ruck by Solo captain and No. 8 Jake Arnold, who found Cameron Garlick with a pop off the ground to put the flyhalf through. 

It was a game of tough defense and it was played hard until the last whistle.

"It's all about peaking at the right time," said Granite Bay Head Coach Jason Divine. "We are getting a some key guys back from injury now and also added a hearty group of new players from Roseville and Oakmont high school this week. We have been struggling with numbers until last week and now have a group of football players and wrestlers looking for something to do in the off-season. These guys are tough and athletic and they come ready to go straight out of the box."

The new football players and wrestlers have shown a good work ethic and ability to pick up the game quickly. 

"I think the influx of new football payers and the return of some key injuries couldn't happen at a better time," added Divine. "We are on track for crucial improvements because of the timing and quality of new players to bolster our ranks."

The win gave Granite Bay, which was tested by CK McClatchy and tied SFGG earlier in non-league matches, a 2-0 record in NorCal. As reported earlier (Jesuit, Danville Battle it Out) Jesuit beat Danville in a close one, 20-11. Also this weekend in Northern California, SFGG continued their run of form, beating Lamorinda 32-19. This was a crossover game between a Premier team and a Top 5 team (what has become Rugby NorCal's Division 1 and Division 1-A). Peninsula Green barely got by Los Gatos United 17-14.

Just for fun, if you combined all games between these teams, you'd have the following (unofficial) standings: