San Marcos, California– After a long off season the Sharks dusted off the rust and started their pre-season schedule with an emphatic 56-19 win over the North County Gurkhas.
The day began with 40 plus players showing up for the two matches, yet another sign that Back Bay’s marketing effort is paying off. But the tone of the day was set by the Sharks forward pack as each set piece was dominated. This control of the home teams pack lead to two of the three tries scored by flanker Nick Surdyka.
Not to be out done the Sharks back line looked dangerous all day as Matt Tracy and Martin Pedreira constantly broke the line keeping the Gurkhas defense on the back foot. Taylor Alston making his debut as captain had a great game leading the team and scoring twice.
The Sharks scored ten tries to the Gurkhas three but the most impressive try scored on the day was an all forward combination by Back Bay. Started off by Sebastian Pedreira breaking the line just outside the 22-meter line, dishing off to Carlos Jovel as he was being tackled who quickly popped a pass to sure handed David Baerveldt, who then popped a pass to Scott Surdyka as he was flying through the air to score a great try.
Head Coach Grant Reynolds hoped to evaluate talent and try new combinations of players at certain positions, this strategy lead to 9 players making their 1st side debut for the blue and white. “Overall it was a great day for Back Bay rugby and a first step to bigger things to come this year. There is still a lot of work to be done before the season but today was a positive step”.
Unfortunately, the Gurkhas did not have enough players for a second match so only a 40 minute scrimmage was held for the 2nd side. For many of the players on the Sharks 2nd side it was their first rugby action ever. After speaking to many of the young players they seem to be hooked on the sport and are already looking for ward to their next match against the Old Aztecs in San Diego.
Man of the Match Honors went to Sebastian Pedreira.
Tries Scored: N. Surdyka (3), S. Surdyka, N. Cadet, S. Pedreira, T. Alston (2), M. Pedreira, and M. Tracy.
Back Bay’s 1st Side:
| Team | Points |
| Belmont Shore | 48 |
| OMBAC | 37 |
| Santa Monica | 29 |
| Las Vegas | 20 |
| Los Angeles | 11 |
| Back Bay | 10 |
| Away | Home | Result |
| Belmont | Back Bay | 48-12 |
| OMBAC | Back Bay | 46-27 |
| Back Bay | LA | 47-19 |
| Vegas | Back Bay | 15-24 |
| Back Bay | SM | 17-53 |
| Back Bay | Belmont | 20-68 |
| Back Bay | OMBAC | 18-33 |
| LA | Back Bay | 36-25 |
| SM | Back Bay | 34-19 |
| Back Bay | Vegas | 12-29 |