UCLA Downs Saint Mary's in Tense Encounter
UCLA Downs Saint Mary's in Tense Encounter
UCLA defeated Saint Mary’s 22-12 Saturday in Los Angeles, shutting out the Gaels in the second half to preserve a huge victory for the Bruins.
Both teams were coming off close games in which they felt they gave up far too many points—Saint Mary’s had won 43-38 over Cal Poly, while UCLA had dropped a 47-41 decision to Central Washington.
UCLA almost got on the board in the first five minutes thanks to a long kick from fullback Josh Cox and a good chase. Saint Mary’s wing Noah Miller somehow rescued it all. But the pressure remained and even as Saint Mary’s was able to clear, Cox mounted a good counter-attack and that set up a chance for inside center Vicinte Allue, who sidestepped his way beautifully to the line.
“We moved Vicinte to 12 and brought in Sacha Martiny to flyhalf because we wanted some solid direction from tat #10 position, and it would also be giving Vinny more freedom. I think both of them did their job really well,” said UCLA Head Coach Harry Bennet.
Up 5-0 UCLA was able to weather some Gaels pressure and especially the Bruins held strong in the scrum. However that scrum battle resulted in a penalty to the Gaels midway through the first half. Saint Mary’’s took the lineout, and when UCLA infringed again the Gaels set up their maul and drove it over. Hunter Modlin’s conversion attempt hit the post, and it was 5-5.
UCLA responded well, working a patient sequence of phases and after flanker Niko Cortessis got them close a quick ball out to Sam McMillan put the hooker over.
Allue converted and UCLA led 12-5.
Saint Mary’s looked to stretch UCLA and keep the ball moving; it worked well as they got close but some good UCLA pressure was able to disrupt a pass between Dom Besag and Cathal Coackley. The scrum, however, led by John Wilson at tighthead, led to points for the Gaels. Saint Mary’s was able to force a penalty, took a scrum. After a couple of surges to the line Besag sold a dummy and stepped his way pver.
Modlin slotted the extras and it was a 12-12 game after 35 minutes.
But Saint Mary’s would not score again.
The scrum once again raised its head right off the restart, and this time the Gaels were penalized about 30 meters out. Allue slotted the kick through the posts and UCLA carried that little mental boost, and the 15-12 lead, into the halftime break.
The second half continued to be a battle. Saint Mary’s camped out in the UCLA 22 and looked to score. The Bruins’ skipper Logan Turner was fortunate not to be carded for an intentional knock-on in front of the posts, but the Bruins just kept working on defense.
Of a scrum on front of the posts Saint Mary’s ran a move, went left, and the ball hit the deck. The Bruins remained up against the ropes, but unlike last week they were able to keep their defense simmering.
“I think we fended off Saint Mary’s on our goalline three or four times under immense pressure,” said Bennet. “To shut them out in the second half was immensely pleasing to see as a coach. A lot of it was messy but we battled and stayed focused. [Lock] Jack Largetter made 25 tackles last week and I think he beat it today.”
In the end most of the first half of the second period was played in UCLA’s half, mostly in their 22. Somehow they avoided being scored upon. Then it was the turn of Saint Mary’s to defend their line and some desperate tackling prevented a try. What the Gaels might have done is kick to clear their lines, but they usually tried to run out of their own end—UCLA’s cover was up to it.
And finally, with less than 10 minutes to go, after a long period of phases, Martiny skated through a half gap and was over.
Allue converted, and that made it 22-12.
Saint Mary’s had time, but they needed to score twice, and they needed to get the first one quickly. They didn’t get it. The UCLA defense was very good, and their scrum, where Saint Mary’s usually has the upper hand, was good enough.
“Our big theme this week was to play to our potential and play for 80 minutes rather than last week, when we didn’t show up for the first half,” said Bennet. “We know that we have these sorts of performances in our grasp.”
What this does to the rankings and potential playoff seedings remains to be seen—it was a huge win for UCLA and a huge statement, as well.
UCLA 22
Tries: Allue, Martiny
Convs: Allue 2
Pens: Allue
Saint Mary’s 12
Tries: Matu, Besag
Convs: Modlin
