Acorns Rugby a Shining Example of Sportsmanship in Morgan
Hill
As another highlight to the Spring season, the Skyhawk Conference Champion Live Oak Acorns rugby squad has been a shining example of sportsmanship all season long.
The Acorn rugby club squad, sponsored by Ditech Communications and Morgan Hill’s Trail Dust restaurant, has followed each this season match by breaking bread with their opponents.
The Trail Dust donates beans, garlic bread, tri-tip steaks, among other things to these after-game meals, allowing the teams a chance to trade notes and talk about the match they just had.
“Ditech and Trail Dust have been incredible sponsors, donating cash and trade offs, like the meals,” said Live Oak coach Bart Nielsen.
I find it refreshing that despite the physically aggressive nature of competitive rugby, that the two teams are able leave their aggression and any perceived “bad blood” on the pitch and share a relaxed meal together.
Saturday’s first round NorCal playoff match was no different than any other this season as the Acorns, although disappointed they lost, shared time and a meal with the opponents they had just battled so fiercely against.
Even during the match against the Vacaville Black Dogs, though intense, both teams displayed their respect for each other as opponents.
For example, in the wanning minutes of the second half as Live Oak neared their playoff loss, Acorn senior Erik Cifuentes absolutely flattened Vacaville’s big man as he tried to bull through for a try. And when I say flattened, I mean knocked about three feet back onto his rear end.
Not only did the hit illicit a great cheer from the Live Oak fans and sideline, several Black Dog players, including the one who got hit, congratulated Cifuentes on making the great stop.
Despite the disappointing loss the Acorns are looking forward to returning the pitch at the Stanford tournament in three weeks.
“They (the Black Dogs) came with more intensity. They were ready,” said Live Oak captain Dustin Muhn. “It’s disappointing but we’ll improve and come back for the tournament.”
