July 11, 2016
Denver Stampede Corral San Diego Breakers
Photo: PRO Rugby
Doug Coil
The Denver Stampede keep winning as they gained another win against the San Diego Breakers. With the win, their record improves to 8-1, while the Breakers fall to 4-6. The PRO Rugby season is winding down, but the Denver Stampede is still competing to win the League.
The Stampede are home next week against Sacramento, before having consecutive away matches against San Francisco and Ohio. Should Denver win their next two matches, they would then travel to Ohio in a winner take all match for the League title.
For the match against the Breakers, The Stampede made six changes to their starting XV, five of which were in the forwards. Both Ben Tarr and Chris Baumann returned from Eagles’ duty and started at props. Casey Rock and Peter Dahl returned from minor injuries that caused them to miss their previous match at lock and flanker, respectively. Hanco Germishuys started at flanker.
In the backs, Chad London returned from Eagles’ duty and resumed his customary position at center, pushing Timana Tahu back to wing.
The San Diego Breakers finish their remaining two matches on the road. Next week the Breakers travel to San Francisco and end their season on July 23rd at Sacramento. They are a good team and will likely finish the season in third place.
The Breakers made three changes to their starting XV. Mason Petersen was at prop, pushing Joe Taufete’e to hooker. Chris Turori played eight man, while Sione Tuihalamaka moved to lock. In the backs, Ben Leatigaga was at wing in place of Phil Mackenzie, who was not on the this week’s roster.
Some teams match up well and it is expected that the match would be another close one. After all, the Breakers have already played the Stampede twice in San Diego with narrow 22-16 and 24-23 losses. They came into the match hoping that they could break this pattern, evening their record and at the same time derailing Denver’s quest for the League title.
That did not happen though as the Denver Stampede beat the Breakers for a third time 59-23. The Stampede gained a bonus point win that kept them on pace to face the Aviators with a title on the line July 31st. They can’t let up though against both Sacramento and San Francisco the next two weeks.
If you did not see the match, watch it later on the PRO Rugby You Tube Channel. With the PRO Rugby season ending July 31, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the fastest growing sport in the United States by going to a PRO Rugby match. Just in case you have other plans, matches are streamed on prorugby.org
Denver Stampede v San Diego Breakers Recap
Denver kicked off to begin the match against San Diego, but the Breakers knocked the ball on. After winning a scrum and after several phases, Denver opted for a scrum, a tactic they would use frequently in this match.
A few scrums later, Denver went over the line, but the ball was held up. That would not be the case for long as Wannenburg went into contact and then the ball was swung wide. An Ata Malifa offload to Max de Achaval resulted in a try in the corner and a 5-0 lead, as Will Magie missed the conversion.
Right after this try, Kurt Morath left the field and was replaced by Kalei Konrad.
Several minutes later, Denver attacked again. After a Denver scrum, Mose Timateo passed to Chad London who found a gap. At the breakdown, Peter Dahl went in for Denver’s second try. Will Magie converted and the Stampede were up 12-0.
The Breakers took the restart and Sione Tuihalamaka found the gap for a long break inside Denver’s 22. Denver was penalized in the process and Kalei Konrad slotted the kick and the Breakers were on the board. A minute later, Konrad added another penalty kick and the score was 12-6.
San Diego attacked again, but Denver stole the ball and attacked deep themselves. Timana Tahu nearly finished the break before offloading to Hanco Germishuys for a try that was converted by Will Magie for a 19-6 lead.
San Diego would get the next try that was set up after a Denver penalty. The Breakers kicked for territory and after a lineout that soon became a maul, Joe Taufete’e had a try in the corner. The conversion was missed, but the Breakers narrowed the lead to 19-11.
It seemed like San Diego would score another try after the restart, as they went to within 5 meters of the try line before a knock on stopped this effort. Denver won the scrum and San Diego was penalized allowing Denver to clear.
Denver had the last attack prior to halftime going deep into San Diego territory. An Andrew Suniula block resulted in a yellow card. Denver then executed a 5 meter lineout into a driving maul with Zach Fenoglio diving over for a try. Magie added the conversion and at halftime the score was 26-11 to the Stampede.
The first half was exciting for spectators as the attacks were fast and furious. San Diego lost a couple of scoring opportunities that if made, could have changed the momentum of the match.
San Diego needed to stop the Stampede’s momentum. That did not happen, as Denver opened the second half with try. Denver went on the attack and Will Magie chipped the ball to Mike Garrity on the wing for a try and a 31-11 lead. That was the second try for Denver as San Diego played a man down.
After Andrew Suniula returned from the bin, the Breakers took a free kick and a Cecil Garber offload to ZachPangelinan went over in the corner and then centered the try, which he then converted. The score was now 31-18.
Denver struck right back when Chad London received the ball at a breakwon and offloaded to Hanco Germishuys for his second try. Magie converted and it was now 38-18.
By this time, the match was in Denver’s hands and the floodgates were broken. Denver added another try after a set lineout play. The ensuing maul had Zach Fenoglio getting his second try and converted by Magie.
Denver’s Dustin Croy grub kick was kicked by Mikey Te’o directly into Mike Garrity hands making for an easy try. With the Magie conversion, Denver lead 52-18.
SAn Diego then lost another opportunity for a try, when Dustin Croy and Bobby Impson held up Zach Pengelinan from touching down in the corner.
San Diego was able to attack again soon after, but the ball was taken by the Stampede. Zac Pauga motored into Breaker territory and Timana Tahu finished with a try. Magie converted again and it was 59-18.
The final try was for the highlights as Cecil Garber broke into Denver’s half. Phases later Ryan Matyas went in for the final try of the day.
The final score was Denver 59-23 over San Diego.
Denver did what they needed to in gaining a bonus point win in their continued quest for the title. Only a lost in their next two matches can stand in the way of a potential title match against Ohio on July 31st.
Will Magie had an outstanding day with his boot, as he has moved into third place among the top scoring leaders. Kurt Morath, who left the match after the first seven minutes, leads with 113 points. Volney Rouse has 90, while will Magie has 88. It is hoped that Morath’s injury is minor, as his calm demeanor and leadership are missed when he isn’t on the pitch.
Next week the Stampede host Sacramento on Sunday July 17th at 3pm MT at Ciber Field on the University of Denver campus. At halftime, there will be an exhibition sevens match between the Queen City Rams and the Denver Harlequins.
San Diego had their scoring opportunities in the match and now need to regroup as they travel Saturday July 16th to meet the San Francisco Rush at 3pm PT at Boxer Stadium.
Denver Stampede: 1 Ben Tarr 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Chris Baumann 4 Casey Rock 5 Logan Collins 6 Hanco Germishuys 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrei Wannenburg (C) 9 Mose Timateo 10 Will Magie 11 Timana Tahu 12 Ata Malifa 13 Chad London 14 Mike Garrity 15 Max de Achaval 16 Nick Wallace 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Soane Leger 19 Luke White 20 Zac Pauga 21 Bobby Impson 22 Kyle Hitt 23 Dustin Croy Coaches: Head Coach – Sean O’Leary, Assistant Coaches: Peter Borlase, David Williams Manager: Kieran Browner
San Diego Breakers: 1 Mason Petersen 2 Joe Taufete’e 3 Jake Ilnicki 4 Sione Tuihalamaka 5 Tai Tuisamoa 6 Nikola Bursic 7 Cecil Garber 8 Chris Turori 9 Charlie Purdon 10 Kurt Morath 11 Ben Leatigaga 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Pono Haitsuka 15 Mikey Te’o 16 Mikey Sosene-Feagai 17 Kakalea Pule 18 Brice Schilling 19 Jean Baptiste Gobelet 20 Bruce Thomas 21 Tom Bliss 22 Kalei Konrad 23 Zach Pangelinan Coaches: Head Coach – Ray Egan Assistant Coaches: Matt Hawkins, Rob Hoadley Manager: Sean Lindersmith
DJCoil Rugby Preview & Match Recaps of Previous Matches
Denver Stampede Host San Diego Breakers in Key PRO Rugby Match
Denver Stampede Boot Sacramento Express
Ohio Aviators Repel San Diego Breakers From Scaling The Fortress
