2020 Rugby Season Opens with a Win

HARC D2 MEN OPEN UP THE SEASON WITH A COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY IN SAN ANTONIO
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Tag(s): The Club 

HARC D2 MEN OPEN UP THE SEASON WITH A COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY IN SAN ANTONIO

The first D2 match of the season for the HARC Men was a thriller, with a strong defensive effort on both sides, and much of the second half being played as a one-point game.  After strong thunderstorms hit most of Texas the previous night, San Antonio RFC’s home pitch was soft, but the bright sun and earlier strong winds dried off the surface.  The pitch condition, combined with temperatures around 60°F, and winds calming down, made for excellent conditions.

With the kick-off, SARFC drove to HARC’s 22 early, but a good defensive stand pushed back the attack.  HARC secured the ball and moved the ball into SARFC territory.  With ten minutes of back-and-forth play, SARFC broke the 0-0 tie first, with a strong run around the corner by wing Daytwon Sheridan.  The conversion by fullback Andrew Valerio made it 0-7, at minute 11.  Less than two minutes later, HARC wing, Dee Paul, answered with a shifty, tackle breaking 30m try, making it 5-7, after a missed conversion.  The next twenty minutes had multiple attempts by SARFC to break through a tough HARC line.  The offense started to find good timing and rhythm in the final ten minutes of the first half behind replacement scrumhalf Sebastian Cardona, coming into the game at minute six and playing his first D2 league game with HARC.  The clock ran out before additional points were scored, as HARC entered halftime down 5-7 to SARFC.

The second half had a strong push by HARC, with eightman, Tadeo Masjoan seemingly getting a try a few minutes after half, but was called off as a knock by the AR.  Minute 53 saw HARC inside center, David Miller explode through the SARFC defense, pushing through a defender and dragging another into the try zone to give HARC their first lead of the game.  A conversion by fly half Tom Johnston, followed by a penalty kick by Johnston 9 ten minutes later made it a two score game, 15-7.  SARFC at minute 67 made it a one point game though, with a 30m try by fly half, Shane Morales, and another conversion by Valerio.

The 15-14 game continued for the final thirteen minutes, with great defense on both sides.  Tighthead prop, Rob Rutherford nearly scored on a try-line crash on a pass that was disrupted by SARFC wing Daytron Sheridan, and replacement lock, DL McDonald nearly scored on a 25m rumble through about six people, but it wasn’t until the 79th minute that HARC secured the victory, with a 50m try by wing Dee Paul, his second of the day, making the final score 20-14, HARC. The third half was hosted by SARFC at The WInchester.  Tadeo Masjoan, HARC’s eightman, who moved to outside center half-way through the second half was awarded man of the match by SARFC, while HARC awarded the outside center, Trevor Brunet, man of the match.  

HARC’s next match is Saturday, January 18, with a D2/D4 doubleheader home match at The Farm League Park in Spring, TX.  Both teams are playing the San Marcos Greys RFC, with the D2 side kicking off at 1pm and D4 at 3pm.

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