Despite holding a 10-point halftime lead, the Live Oak High
rugby club team had to settle for a 10-10 tie at Aptos on Friday.
Live Oak came out strong in the first half, controlling the tempo
of the game with controlled play in scrums and lineouts, hard
tackling and a much-improved kicking game. Going into the
intermission, Live Oak held a 10-0 lead on a try by junior hooker
Oliver Garcia, a conversion and penalty kick by junior lock Erik
Cifuentes, and a huge defensive stand inside the Acorns
’ own 10-meter line as the referee’s whistle signaled the end of
the half.
Despite holding a 10-point halftime lead, the Live Oak High rugby club team had to settle for a 10-10 tie at Aptos on Friday.
Live Oak came out strong in the first half, controlling the tempo of the game with controlled play in scrums and lineouts, hard tackling and a much-improved kicking game.
Going into the intermission, Live Oak held a 10-0 lead on a try by junior hooker Oliver Garcia, a conversion and penalty kick by junior lock Erik Cifuentes, and a huge defensive stand inside the Acorns’ own 10-meter line as the referee’s whistle signaled the end of the half.
As the second half started, a resurgent Aptos side put the Live Oak ruggers on the defensive. Aptos was able to capitalize on a misplayed ball by Live Oak deep in its own territory and touched down for a try. The conversion was good and, with about 20 minutes to play, Live Oak was still leading 10-7.
The Acorns began to reassert themselves with some nice open field running by junior fullback Dustin Muhn, good support from its forward pack, and hard runs by senior 8-man Dustin Vertin, senior prop Ruben Sanchez and junior flanker Jimmy Van Landingham.
But a penalty deep in its own end proved costly to Live Oak and Aptos was able to slot the penalty kick between the uprights and tie the score at 10-all.
Live Oak’s final regular season home game is set for Friday at 4pm at Paradise Park.
