California Cup Week 4 Preview: SFGG at Belmont Shore (LA)

Opeti Okusi from SFGG takes on Mike Te'o from Belmont Shore Jan 30, 2016 - Photo By Andrew Kearney

By Austin Brewin:
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​CAL CUP – Week4
This week our men go back to Southern California – this time to battle BELMONT SHORE.  Before the holiday break, Belmont beat the Old Aztec 44 – 31, while SFGG lost to OMBAC by 62 – 36.

Coach NEIL FOOTE gave the players a week off, and offered to eat their holiday excess to keep them in trim.  Last night they re-assembled, and we asked the Coach how it went. “I did my part – even had to drill a new hole to let the belt out.”
 
Due to the heavy rain on Tuesday, they were not able to get on the field.  They had a good, hard series of inside workouts and drills, and worked on the mental aspects of the games.  In this competition, there is greater parity – more hard games than in the PRP. In this short season, nobody can afford to be taken lightly.  The OMBAC game is a good example, with a tight, even game turning into a blowout during a 20 minute lapse.  Belmont experienced a similar outcome in their first game, losing to Life West.
 
After 3 weeks play, only LIFE WEST remain undefeated.  To win this inaugural Cup, SFGG must run the table from here to the end.  The Coach says they are taking it one game at a time – concentrating on BELMONT SHORE this week, then onward.
 
JACK HALILO is lost for this season, and VOLNEY ROUSE has a family commitment this week, but everybody else is ready to go.
 
GO GATE - Onward through the fog!
 
SFGG Roster at Belmont Shore Jan 7, 2017
1. Jacob Nelson
2. Neil Barrett
3. Saimone Laulaupealu
4. Brendan Hardiman 
5. Drew Hyjer
6. Opeti Okusi
7. Daniel Laprovotte
8. Brendan Daly (captain)
9. Colby Stevens
10. Isoa Donaldson
11. Tevita Vehikite
12. Eaekalifi Okusi
13. Tevita Okusi
14. Fatai Vailala
15. Pila Huihui
16. Grant Hyjer
17. Pat Latu
18. Jared Stalling
19. Tom Rooke
20. Nick Grass
21. Ricardo Reynalds
22. Connor Ring
23. Sione Tupouata
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January 7 – Week Four
Life West at OMBAC
SFGG at Belmont
Olympic Club at Old Aztecs

January 14 – Week Five
Old Aztecs at OMBAC
Olympic Club at Belmont
SFGG at Life West

January 21 – Grand Finals – Treasure Island

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