Live Oak earns second place at 22nd Annual Kick Off Tournament
in Sacramento
Sacramento – The Live Oak Acorns rugby team took their 4-0 record into the 22nd Annual Kick Off Tournament at Granite Park in Sacramento over the weekend, prepared to face some of the top rugby teams in California.
The Acorns participated in the Gold Division of the tournament and captured second place.
Live Oak defeated Mother Lode and the Cougar Rugby Club to advance to the final game against two-time National Champion Jesuit. The Acorns fell in the final, 19-3.
Game 1: Live Oak 17 vs. Mother Lode 0
Live Oak opened play in the Gold Division against last year’s Gold Division finalist and Number 2 seed, Mother Lode (Oak Ridge, CA) and won handily 17-0.
From the opening kick-off, Live Oak controlled possession as well as territory and built a 17-0 half time lead on tries by Erik Cifuentes (Sr., 8-man), Victor Kalata (Jr., center), and Kaleb Simpson (Sr., flanker.) Cifuentes also added a 2 point conversion. Live Oak substituted freely in the second half but kept the defensive pressure on. Mother Lode never threatened to score and did not cross midfield until nearly full time.
Game 2: Live Oak 5 vs. Cougar Rugby Club 0
Live Oak advanced into the winner’s bracket and took on Cougar Rugby Club (Del Campo, CA). This would be a rematch of last April’s NorCal Tier II semifinal match where Cougar soundly defeated Live Oak 38 – 12.
Live Oak came out strong against Cougar and again dominated play with possession and field position but Cougar was strong on defense and turned back the Acorns near their goal. Cougar began to counter attack and although they were pressed, Live Oak defended well at their goal and Cougar came up empty. Just before halftime, Live Oak had possession at midfield and Dustin Muhn (Sr., fullback) was able to score from a perfectly executed weak side play for the game’s only score.
The second half saw a lot of back and forth action but no scoring. Just before full time, Cougar had one last opportunity to score, but the Acorn defense was up to the task. With a smothering cover defense and bone jarring tackles, the threat was turned away. Cougar was called for a penalty and Live Oak kicked to touch as the referee called full time. With the win, Live Oak advanced to the Gold Division Final.
Game 3, Gold Div. Final: Jesuit 19 vs. Live Oak 3
Live Oak advanced into the Gold Division final to take on 2-time National Champion Jesuit High School (Sacramento, CA.)
Live Oak was pressed early and often by a powerful Jesuit side. Jesuit kept the Acorn ruggers pinned in their own end of the field and forced Live Oak to field high kicks while playing into a blinding sun.
When possession and territory was in their favor, Jesuit played a fast paced wide game with excellent support from their forwards. Jesuit forged a 14-3 half time lead on one try and 3 penalty kicks, the last of which was an incredible effort from near midfield and just 5 yards from the out of bounds touch line.
Erik Cifuentes slotted a penalty kick for Live Oak’s lone score.
In the second half, Jesuit turned to their forward pack to control the tempo of the game and chew up the game clock.
Live Oak, although game, was no match for the well coached and well disciplined Sacramento side. Consistently winning lineout ball and a high work rate in rucks and mauls, Jesuit denied Live Oak of desperately needed possession. Jesuit added a final try late in the game and Live Oak was handed its first defeat of the season. Live Oak’s record stands at 6-1.
