Game Reports

Cal Maritime fights back against St Mary’s - Cal Maritime 31 v St Mary’s 57

After a poor opening half, Cal Maritime, in their opening pre-season contest, fought back to score five tries against a fast St Mary’s team before losing 31-57 to the Gaels.

St Mary’s College, a Northern California Division One team, started strongly and showed greater care of the ball and good handling to speed away to an early lead. Once the Keelhaulers set pieces improved and started to win some possession, the game changed dramatically.

The first try, a close range effort from prop Michael Schindler, led the way in providing Cal Maritime with a much needed boost in confidence. Tries from Tony Maude, Nate Housman, Allen Clark and Drew Weir demonstrated the Keelhaulers desire to fight back, and while the score shows the significant gulf between the two sides there were many positives to take away from the game.

“After a nervous first half we settled down and scored some good tries,” said Cal Maritime Coach, Edward Roberts. “St Mary’s have built a well established rugby program and showed how to run with the ball and, while we have some work to do on defense, the lessons we learn from playing Division One teams will help when the season begins.”

Cal Maritime hosts its first Northern California Division Two game on January 20, 2006 against University of Pacific.

The Keelhaulers next game is against San Francisco Golden Gate U23’s on Sunday November 13, 2005.

Tries: Schindler, Maude, Housman, Clark, Weir

Cons: Housman, Bruce (2).

MVP: Robert Rhea