Game Reports

February 4, 2005 - Cal Maritime 25 v Santa Clara University 16
The first home game of the season saw a good crowd watch the Friday night
game in Vallejo. A very competitive game with two good team performances
saw Cal Maritime eventually prevail. Two individual tries from 'Chris' Kopra
were the highlights of a strong performance. The other tries were taken by Scott
Keever and Matt Shotwell.
*MVP – 'Chris' Kopra

Referee Report (www.pelicanrefs.com)
Referee: Joe Leisek
Touch Judge: Mike Gadoua
Videographer: Bruce Carter
     Seeing the lights at Cal Maritime's pitch from the road approaching the school
is always a welcome sight; a great rugby Friday is just up ahead. This one held
special promise--one of Northern California's best pitches, two fine college
sides coached by Edward Roberts and John Tyler, and Pelicans Bruce Carter
and Mike Gadoua on the way.
     A crowd of students and parents filled the bleachers. The match was preceded
by the school color guard and an electric guitarist doing his best live Jimi
Hendrix national anthem. (Unfortunately, the bass player accompanying him
tried to play it straight.) From the outset, the hosts established territorial
advantage and advanced toward and beyond the gain line. Santa Clara's
backline did not generate much attack when they had the ball. Cal Maritime
took a 15-3 lead into the half on the strength of two tries and a penalty kick. But
in the second half, Santa Clara used its speed to better advantage and played
with more urgency. They scored two tries and a penalty kick, but Cal Maritime's
two unconverted tries sealed the match.
     A great rugby Friday concluded with a delicious crab dinner at The Dead Fish
with Bruce, Mike, and John.

Second Side Match: Cal Maritime 22 - Santa Clara 28
Referee: Mike Gadoua
Touch Judges: Joe Leisek, Bruce Carter
The teams played right into the referee's hands by only having enough for ten a
side, which they played like it was Sevens.
     Santa Clara had the fastest guy, a cross country runner turned rugby football
player named Jason Aubuchon, and although he was new to the game once
his teammates figured out that the ball belonged in his hands he scored three
tries.