Jesuit Rugby Gets it Right in First NorCal Playoff Game
Saturday, April 28, 2018 - Six Marauders Score Tries with Wing Ben Skinner leading the scoring

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Jesuit kicked off their playoff run with a fierce determination and a game that was refined after playing three foreign teams over the Spring Break. Hosting the always dangerous San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club, Jesuit dominated the first half. 

A patient, measured attack the focused on possession was hard to stop and Elias Ramirez, playing at scrumhalf, really put pressure on Golden Gate and was able to score just ten minutes in.  Wing Ben Skinner hit the conversion. Skinner scored and then converted his own try.  Flanker George Miller was the next on the board and Fullback Mason Phillips then went through a maze of opponents on a  run that beat several defenders to score right at the half, with Skinner hitting both conversions. 

Halftime: Jesuit 28-SFGG 0

Ramirez started off the half with another smart play when he caught Golden Gate napping on a penalty. Skinner hit the kick and Jesuit was really showing a team effort. Golden Gate was not done and came back to score. The Jesuit forwards then took over with a solid driving maul that Max Sackett finished off.  The conversion was missed.  Golden Gate got one back, before Laiatu Latu went a strong run to score and put Jesuit back in the driver’s seat.  Golden Gate would not go away quietly and punched in two more tries to flatter the score line.

Final score: Jesuit 45 – SFGG 28

Latu and flyhalf Max Schumacher were named players of the game, but the Jesuit front row really dominated the set piece.

“The players called the game and made the adjustments they needed to be effective,” said Head Coach John Shorey. “We played four top tier teams in the past few weeks (St. Edward from Ohio, two Australian teams and Rangitoto from New Zealand) and learned quite a bit. We are not the finished product, but the progress is evident. We will need to bring our A game against Danville, who are clearly one of the top five teams in the country.”

Note – Jesuit will face the Danville Oaks in the Nor Cal Premier Final on May 5 in Stockton. The teams met earlier in the season with Danville taking the game 27-21.