In a game that lived up to the hype #7 Saint Mary’s defeated #8 Central Washington by a single point, 27-26.
Playing in Ellensburg, Wash., Saint Mary’s spent the vast majority of the first 25 minutes inside the CWU 22. They came close to getting a try, getting held up at one point, but CWU’s defense was tenacious.
Finally, 25 minutes in the Gaels had a distinct overlap on the left side but couldn’t execute. CWU was penalized, however, and Saint Mary’s took the three points—Mario Storti putting the kick over.
CWU was later penalized for a late hit on a kick puts Saint Mary’s inside CWU 22. The Gaels ran a phase in the middle and then a long, loopy pass wide put Losefa Toiaivao in at the corner.
At 32 minutes Saint Mary’s looked to add to their lead, launching off a quick tap after the Gaels’ scrum forced a penalty at midfield. They worked it down the tramlines between a trio of players. A high ball was popped toward the tryline and as two players fell over, the ball rolled around, center Erich Storti ultimately dove on it for a Saint Mary’s try and a 13-0 lead.
After that, Central Washington got some ball they could work with. They got into the Saint Mary’s half but could not score and halftime came with the tally still 13-0.
But right off the start of the second half CWU got a penalty and ran a lineout play, throwing short and low to Drew Farrington in the halfback position. He took it right through to touch down. Jac Tregonning’s conversion was good and now it was 13-7.
Saint Mary’s responded the way they do, playing fast in the open field. Off a fairly innocuous movement inside their own have the Gaels were able to break trough and Dom Besag was in support to take it in under the posts on a long-range movement. Mario Stori converted.
Up 20-7 Saint Mary’s seemed poised to blow the game apart, but Central Washington replied with a well-run maul off a lineout and Campbell Robb’s try, with Tregonning’s conversion, put the Wildcats with a converted try at 20-14.
