Guidry scores two tries in first half as Acorns beat Salinas
26-7
MORGAN HILL — The club rugby team from Live Oak earned its first Skyhawk Conference win by 26-7 score Feb. 26 against fledging Salinas.
The Acorns scored early in the Outdoor Sports Center with sophomore scrumhalf Mitch Marcum’s try at the seven-minute mark. Marcum’s score came on a quick tap-and-go after a Salinas player was called for hands in a ruck. Junior fullback Andrew Pitzer made the conversion to put Live Oak ahead 7-0.
Eight minutes later, senior stand-off Joe Guidry added another score for the Acorns when, after a series of penalties called against the Mongols, he snuck off another quick tap. Pitzer added a conversion to make it 14-0. Guidry and Pitzer scored tries before halftime, with Pitzer collecting a third conversion.
Live Oak nearly added a fifth try in the first half. After scooping up a loose ball out of a Mongols scrum, Marcum led a foot race for 50 meters before knocking the ball in on goal. Salinas relieved pressure with a deep kick, but the Acorns were in control ahead 26-0 at the break.
Nothing changed in the second half.
Live Oak dominated scrums, line outs, possession and territory, while the Mongols were penalized for dangerous play and indiscretions at the tackle. Behind good support from their forwards, the Acorns gained tough ground and protected the ball, denying Salinas the opportunity to capitalized on its team speed.
The Mongols broke through when Live Oak’s defense was caught too shallow. After a prolonged multiphase attack by the Acorns, Salinas countered quickly off a poached ball, and a speedy fullback outran the Live Oak defenders from 70 meters out for the Mongols’ only try. They added a conversion to pull within 19 with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Live Oak reapplied pressure with hard runs by senior centers Mark Weber and Justin Santos. The team’s forward pack, led by senior props Erik Poulsen, Alex Roman and senior lock Jordan Stiers, linked together in good support plays — nearly crossing the Mongols’ goal line at full time as the Salinas defense held strong.
Senior flanker Eric Webb and 8-man Thomas Mangano also played well for the Acorns, who continue conference play at 11:30 a.m. Saturday against Peninsula Green at Woodside High.
In the B-side match Feb. 26, Live Oak lost another close match to Bellarmine, 12-7.
