Rugby Travels to Arizona
28th Annual Northern Arizona 10s Tournament match report - Oct. 4, 2008, Flagstaff, AZ
This weekend the Blackshirts, joined by Oxy rugby alums Victor Lopez and Phil Guerrero went to the 28th annual Northern Arizona 10s Tournament in Flagstaff, AZ.
The Blackshirts hit the pitch early for their first match against Prescott. The Blackshirts came out slow, but just before the half Oxy made a break in the backs, with Guerrero taking an offload for an easy score and a slim Oxy lead at half time. The quality of play was no better in the second half, as the Blackshirts failed to keep possession when they had it and the well placed kicks from the Prescott stand-off kept the ball on Oxy's half of the pitch the entire second half. Some bad tackling led more tries for Prescott. In the end, poor hands, lack of structure and bad tackling, among other problems resulted in a first match loss for the Blackshirts.
The Blackshirts second match was against local side Carps.
Somehow the Blackshirts handled the ball better in the frigid
rainstorm than they did in the first match. Within the first minute
Oxy established themselves as the superior side and the score would
prove it. Sixty seven tries later the Blackshirts emerged
victorious 59-7.
The third match was easily the most pleasant, a match against ASU's
B side. Much like the second game however, the Blackshirts quickly
set the tone for the match, running over and around their backs for
easy tries. Even ASU subs in the second half could not stop the
Blackshirts' relentless onslaught. Final score: Blackshirts 55 -
ASU II 0
Record for the day: 2-1
Notable performances on the day include AJ Mata ('10) running an
excellent fly-half and Buckley managing the breakdowns with skill
and smarts. Gabe Shapiro ('10) was solid in his first time playing
hooker, as was Grummond in the back line and at lock. Rosny Daniel
('09) defied the laws of physics with his boot, converting even the
most difficult kicks in the rain. The backs were the highlight for
the Blackshirts, running around, over, through and under the
opposition, breaking ankles and juking opponents out of their
shoes. Keeya Bighorse ('10), Guerero and Mata all had great runs
and did an excellent job of running in support. All but two
Blackshirts scored a try on the day, with Cosulich-Schwartz leading
the team with 5.
7s in the Sand Match Report - Sept. 20, 2008, Huntington Beach, CA
Saturday was a memorable day for the blackshirts at the 7s in the sand tournament in Huntington Beach.
After some pre-match confusion the Blackshirts were hurried onto the sandy pitch for a match against a familiar LMU alumni side. Play was back and forth as both teams managed to score a couple tries before halftime. In the second half however, the fluid, relentless play of the gentlemen of LMU resulted in a losing effort for the Blackshirts.
One hour later the boys played a big, physical USC side determined to avenge their humiliating losses of two seasons ago. The Blackshirts, perhaps inspired by the easy-does-it atmosphere of the beach tournament, implemented their oft devastating tickle-tackle gameplan. Needless to say USC were unfazed by Oxy's unorthodox techniques and rumbled to an easy victory.
In the third match thankfully the Blackshirts, finally awake, picked it up against Cal Lu. After being down a score or two in the first half, the Blackshirts scored try after try, keeping the ball in Cal Lu's half the rest of the match and cruising to victory.
The Blackshirts carried the momentum into their best match of the day against newly demoted league-rival Claremont. An early score from Claremont looked ominous for the Blackshirts, but some great team play from veterans and new guys alike (including the try of the day during which the ball never stopped moving and must have gone through 15 players' hands) along with tackling and intensity Malek would be proud of gave Oxy another victory.
At 2-2 for the tournament with 1 match to play, the Blackshirts plaued UCI for their final match. Oxy came out flat the first few minutes and surrendered two soft tries, their minds clearly focused on the social afterward. The boys quickly snapped back just before halftime, and were able to even up the score early in the second half. In the end a late try paired with UCI's renowned sense of gamesmanship denied the Blackshirts a winning record for the day. Oxy's final record for the day: 2 - 3.
