Saturday was truly a rugby day, with 13 alumni, plus wives, kids, team parents, siblings and friends watching the home team take on the Wolfpack from UNR. this was a must-win match in order to reach playoffs.
Reno traveled to Bud Winter field yesterday to take on our Spartans in the last league match of the season. For the Wolfpack, this was a game they anticipated to win. For the Spartans, it was a must-win game to qualify for a semifinal appearance against the winner of Fresno v Sac St.
Though overcast, it was an unseasonably warm 69 degrees on the pitch. With roughly 40 spectators watching from the breezeway and another 20 or so watching from the 2nd and 3rd levels of the adjacent parking garage, the anticipation built until it was time for kickoff. SJSU won the toss and Reno kicked off. A shallow kick barely made it 10 and was taken by the Spartans. Upon the first phase, the Spartans crossed into midfield where the ball went hand to hand for a number of phases but didn’t gain much territory. Ultimately, a low pass from the ruck resulted in a knock behind the Spartan 10 metre line and Reno took possession.
The first scrum of the game saw the powerful Spartan pack push the Reno forwards back, but quick ball by Reno resulted in the scrumhalf spinning the ball to his flyhalf who dotted a beautiful grubber behind the Spartan defenders. The onrushing Reno backline were in perfect position to create an opportunity. One of the Reno centers dotted the ball down for the first score of the game. The conversion was no good.
SJSU 0 – 5 Reno
After the ensuing KO, Reno committed a penalty and turned over the ball, The Spartans made it down to the 5 metre line and were threatening to score when an KO resulted in Reno scrum. An errant kick handed possession right back to the Spartans. After a few phases, Reno kicked for position. Two Spartans in position to field the ball both let the ball bounce where it was gathered by a Reno player coming at pace. Three phases later, the Reno backline was in formation with a beautiful angle, sprinting to the far side of the field. The Spartan wing and replacement full back were not in position, leaving a 2 forward vs 3 back confrontation. As expected, this led to a beautifully worked try, the second of the game, both for Reno. Once again, conversion was missed.
SJSU 0 – 10 Reno
As play restarted, a Reno knock-on led to the first real opportunity for the Spartans. After a Reno penalty awarded the Spartans possession, some good ball movement resulted in a 2:1 overlap out wide. However an errant pass sent the ball into touch. The next few phases were more promising. At the breakdown near midfield, CJ recognized an opportunity. When the ball saw daylight, he quickly snatched it up and bound over the middle. By the time Reno could give chase, CJ turned on the jets and no one was going to catch him. He dotted it down between the uprights at about the 10 min mark. The conversion by Juan was good.
SJSU 7 – 10 Reno
A series of collapsed scrums at the restart resulted in a successful penalty kick for Reno.
SJSU 7 – 13 Reno
After the restart, a series of back and forth plays resulted in a Spartan scrum. The powerful scrum pushed Reno back at least 2 metres and the ref signaled advantage to the Spartans. The scrum began to wheel and and the ref suddenly awarded a penalty to Reno. A few phases of play ensued, with both teams showing poor ball discipline. Possession changed hands frequently until a Spartan scrum just beyond midfield resulted in excellent continuity and ball movement. CJ eventually received the ball and with a sudden change of direction, evaded a tackler and made it to the 5 metre line. The swift scrummy swung the ball wide in the direction of a poorly guarded weak side, and into the hands of Andrew who had support but didn’t need it. He took the ball in for the Spartans’ 2nd try of the day. The conversion was good.
SJSU 14 – 13 Reno
After a slow start to the match, the Spartans gained confidence and it showed. Reno restarted with a deep kick. Once caught, the ball was passed twice until it reached CJ who broke 3 tackles. Eventually the ball found its way into the hands of Juan who sped into the in-goal area directly under the posts. The conversion was good and the Spartans were on a roll.
SJSU 21 – 13 Reno
The second saw poor ball discipline continue to let the Wolfpack down, and provide more opportunities for the Spartans. Reno worked their way to the Spartans’ 5 metre line and were looking to score but a long pass wide went sailing off the hands of the Reno wing and into touch. However the ref called a mysterious penalty and it remained Reno ball near the uprights at about the 5 metre line. Four phases and another penalty later, Reno snuck in for their 3rd try. This time the conversion was good.
SJSU 21 – 20 Reno
Eventually the Wolfpack worked their way down to the Spartan’s five metre line again, but thanks to an excellent clearance kick by the Spartans, the pressure was back on Reno. The Spartans hussled to cover the ball carrier, who was able to get the pass off before being tackled. However the second ball carrier was also tackled almost immediately. The Spartans continued to apply pressure and it was just a matter of time before they would score again. In fact, a deft move and a pass to Sandro with a full head of steam, and they did just that. The conversion was good.
SJSU 28 – 20 Reno
One thing the Spartans need to improve is … nah. Not going to give our opponents any bright ideas.. So anyway, a Spartan kick from their own 22 metre line puts Reno deep into their own territory. After multiphase play and great ball movement, the Spartans blasted over the line for another try. The conversion missed the mark.
SJSU 33 – 20 Reno
There was some amazing ball movement and the Spartans confidence was on display. They were fully in control at this point and as long as they can start games with this level of confidence and fire, sky’s the limit!
