Back Bay vs. Los Angeles RFC Game Notes (3/5/11)

Written by Carlos Jovel Jr

The Sharks return home to take on Los Angeles RFC after a heart breaking loss the week before, still in search of their first win of the year. In what proved to be one of the more physical game of the year, the Sharks surprised a very talented Los Angeles team with their mental and physical toughness to grind out their first win of the year.

Both teams were evenly matched and it showed right from the initial kickoff. The first twenty minutes of play were dominated by scrappy play and multiple handling errors by both teams and after 20 minutes of play Los Angeles found themselves up 7-3 over the Sharks. The home team slowly began to gain momentum as the forward pack began to dominated the set pieces and retain ball procession and after a penalty kick made the score 7-6. But to Los Angeles credit they answered back with another try and at the half they lead the Sharks 12-6.

The second half saw a more flowing game by both sides, as well as more scoring too. Back Bay quickly began to execute their game plan and capitalize on an early mistake by Los Angeles and score their first try of the match. The Sharks continued to pressure the visiting team and after a couple of penalty kicks by both sides, which saw the lead change back and forth, the home team found themselves down by two points. Going into the last ten minutes of the match Back Bay began to take over the match and after a try scored by Jaco Vlok after a lineout inside the opposition’s 22 meter line, Back Bay had taken the lead for good. A late try under the post sealed the game for the Sharks and also prevented Los Angeles from any bonus points as the Sharks won their first match of the year 31-21.

It was a hard fought and very enjoyable game to watch. This win has been a long time coming and we will enjoy it, said head coach Grant Reynolds. Back Bay will hope to carry some of the momentum from this win into their next match against powerhouse Belmont Shore. Man of the Match honors went to Patrick Reedy (1st side) and JR Macias (2nd side) made it two weeks in a row.

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