The St. Augustine Saints hosted Torrey Pines in a huge SCIRF match this weekend, and it was a tight one, with the Saints holding off TP 19-16.

The game started with Torrey Pines running phases through the  forwards. The pick-and-go offense worked well for the San Diego-area team, and put the Saints under a ton of pressure. However, St. Augustine held on and didn't allow an early try. That stand proved pivotal.

The Saints were able eventually to mount a response, and after getting into the Torrey Pines 22, the forwards went to work. Michael Cross scored the first try for the Saints on a pick-and-go. Minutes later, the Saints were on the Torrey Pines doorstep and worked a number phases through the forwards. Walter Pongia scored the second try and the Saints took a 14-0 lead into the halftime break. 

The second half saw Torrey Pines use the wind effectively, and with St. Augustine committing penalties, slotted three penalty goals to close the gap to 14-9.

A turning point came late in the second half when Torrey Pines cleared a kick from deep in their end. That kick pushed the Saints fullback to inside the Saints 22. But Armando Uribe broke through on the counter and got within ten meters of the Torrey Pines tryline. After a penalty and a couple phases of play, Aidan Konja took a ball wide and cut up field and stretched over to score and make it 19-9.

The Saints needed that try, because Torrey Pines exploited a mistake and a turnover to score right after, making it 19-16. St. Augustine, however, was able to hold on and remain undefeated.