USD defeats ASU in gold coast opener
On a scorching Saturday in February, USD started the league season hot with a 41-10 victory over Arizona State.
USD got on the front foot early with a try from Tyler Shelley after a series of pick and drives from the forward pack. The two teams traded territory and possession for a period of time in which both teams adjusted to the heat and intensity of the match. In the 15th minute of the match USD was awarded a scrum around midfield. A crisp set play put winger Paul Habeeb through a gap. Habeeb drew in the fullback and dished to the supporting Micky O’Leary who touched down under the posts.
The Toreros continued to pressure the Sun Devils with deep kicks into the corner and then sustained defensive intensity. A 5 meter scrum led to a Michael Ramos pick off the back of the scrum, with Ramos bowling over several defenders for another score. It was at this point in the match that fatigue clearly set in for both sides. On a turf field the temperature was in the high 90s, and all 30 players on the field felt the affects of the heat. USD was able to capitalize on slow retreating defenders and Joey Shenton ran a try in from long range. With the territory, possession, and scoreboard all favoring the Toreros the Sun Devils collected themselves to attempt to get back into the match. Big carries from the ASU front row and slick moves from the backline put USD under a huge amount of pressure. After many phases punching towards the USD goal line, a turnover was forced in the ruck. Logan Tatum collected the ball off the ground and broke free into space, before offloading to Habeeb who went 80+meters for a huge try against the run of play.
The score would stand at 29-0 at halftime in favor of the Toreros.
The second half showed some more inventive play from the Sun Devils that led to a penalty and a converted try over the course of the half. USD would counter with another Joey Shenton try and score from captain Oliver Kane. Both teams emptied their benches in the second half to allow fresh legs to impact the game, with the USD bench showing well and sealing the match for the Toreros.
The final score would stand at 41-10 in favor of USD.
Director of Rugby Kevin Eaton on the win: “ It’s always good to start the season with a win. When you consider 19 players out of the 23 that took the field for us today were playing their first league match for USD, the result is more impressive. ASU coach Pieter Hugo brought a strong side out here with a few players that really challenged us. To overcome a strong side like ASU in such convincing fashion will be a good confidence booster going forward. There is a lot to work on still as we refine the technical aspects of our game. Our discipline must improve if we want to continue to win games in this league. The effort and desire is most certainly there, and that is a solid foundation for us to build on.”
Head Coach Charlie Purdon: “ Pleased with the result. I appreciate the work these players put in to improve themselves. We look forward to the challenge ahead of us next Saturday.”
USD can be happy with a dominant victory over a league opponent that beat them last time they played. The all freshman playmaking group of Carmine Derosa, Michael Lewis, and Micky O’Leary controlled the game really well in the first half. The collective work rate of the USD forward pack was outstanding in the sweltering heat. With many great individual performances, one stood out as deserving as man of the match. Junior flanker Joey Shenton was awarded the USD Rugby champion’s belt as man of the match. Shenton played his first match in the forward pack and touched down for two scores. His work rate in open play and in the lineout combined with his impact on the score sheet made Shenton the clear standout for USD.
Final Score: 41-10
Man of the Match: Joey Shenton
Starting Lineup
Tyler Shelley
Logan Tatum
Oliver Kane (C)
Hayden Laccabue
Nick Classen
Joey Varcoe
Joey Shenton
Michael Ramos
Carmine Derosa
Michael Lewis
Finn McCarthy
Micky O’Leary
Felix Morales
Paul Habeeb
Devin Hoovel
Substitutions
16. Cameron Mahdavifar (50’ Tatum)
17. Nick McConnell (65’ Varcoe)
18. Jake Mitten (65’ Laccabue)
19. Thomas Geloso (70’ Classen)
20. Alex Lim (40’ McCarthy)
21. Eoin O’Callaghan (60’ Lewis)
22. Josh Feingold (70’ Lim)
23. Jordan Sandoval (40’ O’Leary)
Scoring
Tries
2 Shenton, Shelley, O’Leary, Habeeb, Ramos, Kane
Conversions
2/4 O’Leary , 1/1 O’Callaghan, 0/1 Lewis, 0/1 Sandoval
