In its last regular season home game last week, Live Oak
High
’s rugby team took on Peninsula Green in a crucial game that
would determine seeding and home field advantage for the Skyhawk
Conference playoffs. But the Acorns came up short to the visitors
by a 25-14 on Friday, March 25 at Paradise Park. From the opening
whistle, both teams were up to the task.
Peninsula Green used its size advantage in its forward pack to
hammer at the Live Oak defensive line off rucks and a height
advantage to control line-out play. Live Oak countered with
inspired play in scrums, a superior kicking game and some
hard-nosed tackling.
In its last regular season home game last week, Live Oak High’s rugby team took on Peninsula Green in a crucial game that would determine seeding and home field advantage for the Skyhawk Conference playoffs. But the Acorns came up short to the visitors by a 25-14 on Friday, March 25 at Paradise Park.
From the opening whistle, both teams were up to the task. Peninsula Green used its size advantage in its forward pack to hammer at the Live Oak defensive line off rucks and a height advantage to control line-out play. Live Oak countered with inspired play in scrums, a superior kicking game and some hard-nosed tackling.
Live Oak held a 9-5 lead at halftime on three penalty kicks by junior lock Erik Cifuentes, while Peninsula Green’s score came on an unconverted try.
But once again, Live Oak saw its halftime lead disappear as Peninsula Green opened up a 20-9 lead with about 15 minutes to play after three unanswered tries. All three conversions were missed. Live Oak then came to life. Junior center Tommy Sparling blocked and recovered a kick by the opposing fullback and touched down for a try to close the score to 20-14, and Live Oak began to surge. Junior fullback Dustin Muhn had several exciting runs that penetrated deep into PG territory and junior prop Chris Rockwell turned in a strong performance with solid play in scrums and rucks. But a poor kick by Live Oak was countered and a missed tackle near its try line allowed Peninsula Green to tally one more try. Live Oak continued to pressure the opposition as the final game whistle blew.
Live Oak (2-3-1) had a bye this week and closes out regular season play against Valley Christian (0-6) in San Jose on Saturday, April 9. Game time is yet to be determined.
Olympian Erik Guerrero to hold wrestling clinic at LO
California Wrestling Hall of Famer Erik Guerrero, a 2004 Olympian and 2003 World champion, is presenting a wrestling clinic at Live Oak High on Saturday, April 9. Erik, an assistant coach at Oklahoma State and three-time state champion at Indpendence High in San Jose, is offering a small-scale, intensive hands-on clinic which will devote personal time to each wrestler.
Guerrero said he is looking forward to the “opportunity to give back some of the knowledge and skill I have acquired to my local wrestling community.”
Guerrero was also a four-time U.S. National champion and three-time NCAA champion at Oklahoma State, which recently won its third straight NCAA Division I team title.
Details: call (408) 892-2874.
South Valley Wine Auction fundraiser for MH track programs set for April 8
In its seventh year, the South Valley Wine Auction fundraiser will be held on April 8 at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center.
The event, which raises money for Morgan Hill schools’ running programs, is presented by the South Valley Athletic Foundation.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door.
Details: call (408) 778-9501
North-South All-Star hoops game scheduled for April 9
The 19th Annual North-South All-Star Basketball Classic, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Salinas, will be held on Saturday, April 9 at Hartnell College in Salinas. The game will include the top graduating seniors from the Tri-County area (Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey) playing their first college-format basketball game. The girls teams will play at 6pm with the boys game to follow at 7:45pm. All-star rosters will be released next week.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Kiwanis Club of Salinas and Sunrise House, a youth/family counseling/crisis center in Salinas, which deals with alcohol and other drug related problems.
Details: call (831) 757-4246.
MH Pony Baseball’s Opening Day April 9
After being rained-out lastweekend, Morgan Hill Pony Baseball rescheduled its annual Opening Day ceremonies for Saturday, April 9 at Britton. The event will begin at 9am, followed by regularly scheduled games.
MH Grand Prix criterium bicycle race April 10
Downtown Morgan Hill will be transformed into a bicycling race course for the Morgan Hill Grand Prix criterium on Sunday, April 10. The event, which is sponsored by Specialized Bicycles, will be held from 8am-6pm, and is expected to draw an estimated 300-500 cyclists and 2,000 spectators.
The criterium will include a variety of cycling events for men and women in different age and skill categories, as well as kids races and exhibition displays. Admission is free.
Details: call the MH Grand Prix hotline at (650) 302-6310.
Hollister Adult Baseball League seeking players
Players are needed for an Adult Baseball League in Hollister. Local league play and national tournaments are included. All positions are open for players 18-and-older.
Details: call Matt Silbert at (831) 638-1301 or e-mail [email protected] for immediate placement.
Rebekah Children’s Services Celebrity golf tourney
A fundraiser golf tournament to benefit Rebekah Children’s Services will be held May 13 at noon at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy.
Details: call (408) 846-2142.
GIVE US YOUR NEWS: If you have a sports digest item for Chip Shots, call the Times at 779-4106 (ext. 218) or email [email protected]
