SAN JOSE CA-Both the Bishop O’Dowd Men and Women’s rugby teams opened the 2019 Northern California league campaign with narrow bonus point victories.
First up our ladies traveled to Ponderosa High School for a noon kick off against long time league rival the Motherlode Rugby Club. The Dragons came away with a hard fought 24-22 road victory, the last quarter of play in a deluge. 2 tries by Freshman Pivot Laila Hannum, as well as front rower Ysabella Lucero and Center Vanessa Pallen, Wing Juliana Weinerth added 2 conversions to carry the day for the Black and Golds.
Then in the afternoon at Leland High School your O’Dowd rugby men enjoyed a 22-20 come from behind victory over San Jose United. A brace of tries in the first half by Eighth man Josh Mannix kept the Dragons in the game for a 15-10 Halftime score. As time was winding down front rower Enrique Moreno’s try and conversion put the Dragons within 3 points and two minutes later newcomer Center Alex Berger touched down to take the lead and seal the victory 22-20.
Varsity Women’s Point Scorers Left To Right: Juliana Weinerth, Ysabella Lucero, Vanessa Pallen, Laila Hannum
Men of the Match as Chosen by the Opposition:
Left To Right: Tyler Douglas, Kenny Nguyen, Marcos Alvarez, Josh Mannix