SFGG Men D1 Gold "A" defeated the Olympic Club 29 – 5

Photo By Austin Brewin

Photo: Austin Brewin

There were 5 games at Sheeran Field including 3 high school, the men’s Gold and the Women on a glorious day in the Bay.  After all the rain, the field was in great shape, the stands had a good and enthusiastic crowd.  We won some, we lost some – read on.
 
SFGG Gold defeated the Olympic Club 29 – 5.
Coach NEIL FOOTE said: “Pleased with overall game – everybody playing to our patterns based on field position and situation.  In first half we went sideline to sideline with crisp passing and solid support.  O Club were a bit undermanned, but did a good job defending. We managed to get good numbers in support to creat scoring opportunities. We had quick, clean ball from the both lineouts and scrums, as well as from breakdowns.
In the second half we didn’t score as much as anticipated, but the O Club did not lay down and we had some handling issues closing out moves.
 
The defense was the overall highlight of the day.  We had numbers where we needed them – every one on the field did their part – I am very pleased with the team effort. The O Club avoided a shutout with an unconverted try at 80 minutes. MONE LAUAUPEALU had his first game at hooker in a while, and played very well.

We had two yellow cards which did not affect the outcome.  One is related to an adjustment in the Laws we need to work on – dealing with balls off the ground in rucks (IZZIE HELU), but I was happy we had gone 3 weeks without one.  PILA HUIHUI earned an unnecessary Yellow by repeatedly criticisms of Referee Phil Akroyd.”

LEMOTO FILIKITONGA was named Man of the Match for his solid defensive effort and his role in the offensive movements.  PILA HUIHUI had a good game at Fullback – his pace coming into the attack created a lot of opportunities for us.

Injuries: NICK GRASS came out of the game after catching a Bubba Jones punch which closed his eye – no permanent damage.
 
The next opponent for both Gold and Green is – Green and Gold.  Whatever the outcome, Gold have clinched top seed for the playoffs More on this next week.

​Scores – time
7” VOLNEY ROUSE Penalty 3
16” COLBY STEVENS 5 VOLNEY ROUSE 2
28” EAE OKUSI 5 VOLNEY ROUSE 2                HALF 17 - 0
50” EAE OKUSI 5
71” PEPE UAISE 5 VOLNEY ROUSE 2              FULL 29 - 5
 
Roster: 1 Nelson (Niko Lolohela 40”), 2 Mone Lauaupealu, 3 Pat Latu, 4 Nick Grass (Brendan Daly 22”), 5 Brendan Hardiman (J Stalling 70”), 6 Opeti Okusi ( Langilangi Haupuaka 40”), 7 Danny LaPrevotte, 8 Isaac Helu (Pepe Uaise 50”),  9 Colby Stevens, 10 Volney Rouse, 11 Tevita Vehikite, 12 Lemoto Filikitonga, 13 Sam Pone, 14 Sione Tupouata (Fatai Velala), 15 Pila Huihui.

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Photo: Austin Brewin