GECKOS DOMINATE RUGBY WEEKEND

By Jose Terlaje

The GW Geckos continued to dominate the rugby season’s early goings as the girls swept away their competition Saturday at the Okkodo field while the boys ran amok against the still new-comers, the Tiyan Titans.

Geckos continue rolling with win over Titans

In week 3 of high school rugby action at Okkodo Football Field, the defending champion George Washington Geckos took on the Tiyan High Titans, a first year rugby team. The Geckos showed the crowd why they are the champs by asserting themselves on the Titans, winning 43-0 as they improve to 3-0. The Titans fell to 1-2.

“No matter how dominant we may seem from what we’ve done in these past three weeks, we still have plenty of things that we have to work on. Our boys know what they need to work on and that we aren’t satisfied with where we’re currently at. We are still going to keep working until we get to where we want to be,” said GW Coach Johnny Borja when asked if he thinks his team still has aspects of the game they need to work, seeing how his team is the most dominant and consistent so far this season.

Borja added that his team will remain prudent and that they are taking the season one game at a time, just trying to see how far they can go.

A Titan attempts to pass the ball off to a teammate while being wrapped up by Hank Sablan. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

The Titans kicked off the ball to the Geckos at the start of the match, with GW moving the ball toward the Tiyan try-zone at a steady pace. At the one yard line the Geckos ended up turning over the ball but after a scrum just seconds later, GW’s Ryan Quitugua was able to run the ball in for the Geckos first try of the match. Tevin Santos’ conversion was good as GW went up 7-0.

After the next kick-off, both teams started to trade possessions back and forth until a scrum was called at the Titans’ 20 yard line. After winning the scrum, a perfectly executed hands play by GW found Ezekiel Cruz running the ball into the try-zone. Santos’ conversion was good once again, giving the Geckos a 14-0 lead.  Just moments after the next kick-off, an offside call on the Titans gave GW a tap-n-go which was quickly used by Kelvin Hocog, taking carrying the ball 17 yards to the house with Santos hitting another conversion to give the Geckos a 21-0 lead.

The Titans kicked-off the ball to the Geckos once more but GW’s Santos, as he did throughout the game, continuously kicked the ball back into Tiyan territory for his team to recover. A lineout was called at the 10 yard line. After winning the ball from the lineout, the Geckos swung the ball from one sideline to the other, eventually finding Adrian Cruz an open space to running, scoring another try for GW. Santos’ conversion was no good and time ran out in the half.

Jacob Bamba of GW powers through Titans and avoids being taken down. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

In the second half, the reigning champs picked up right where the left off, dominating the possessions and winning the ball in majority of the scrums and rucks. Shortly after gaining possession of the ball, GW’s Jacob Bamba picked up big yardage on a run, looking like a wrecking ball, as he broke multiple tackles to get his team in scoring distance. His teammate Brendan Santos finished the job and added another try for the Geckos. Isaiah Macias’ conversion was good, increasing the GW lead to 33-0.

Although down by a big margin, the Titans never gave up and did their best to stop the Geckos. Tiyan tried to hold on and get something going on offense but they were too overwhelmed by the constant pressure put on them by GW. After going off rhythm for a bit, the Geckos pulled back together and Santos ran the ball in himself this time from 12 yards out, but the conversion by Quitugua was no good, giving GW a 38-0 lead.

Not long after the next kick-off, the Geckos continued to gain yards on the depleted Tiyan team. A lineout won by the Geckos led to another try by David Cruz but Quitugua’s conversion kick came up short again, putting GW up 43-0.

As time ran down, the Titans were able to get within scoring range but with a penalty being called on the Geckos, Tiyan chose to go for a penalty kick. The kick was short, leading to a 22-drop but time ran out and GW picked up the win.

Bulldogs Drop Royals

In week three of rugby action at Okkodo football field, the Bulldogs made use of their home-field advantage and defeated the Notre Dame Royals, in dominating fashion, 38-0.

Literally seconds into the first half, the Bulldogs’ Ke’ann Castro recovered a kick and ran it straight into the Royals’ try zone to put some points on the board for her team. The conversion kick was no good, only giving OHS a 5-0 lead. Just moments later though, the Bulldogs swiftly moved the ball down the field and Jaicia Vita ran the ball in for another try. Another failed conversion gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead.

After the next kick-off, the Royals finally were able to get a possession of the ball but the Lady Bulldogs were relentless, stopping ND on their own side and eventually winning the ball back, leading to another score by Castro. Her conversion kick was good this time, giving OHS a 17-0 lead going into halftime.

At the start of the second half, the Bulldogs were running on their momentum from the first half and kept up their offensive rhythm. Shortly after gaining possession, a good hands play found Celine Amparo wide open on the sideline as she ran over 20 yards into pay dirt. Castro hit another conversion and extended OHS’ lead 24-0.

Not too long after the next kick-off, the Bulldogs recovered the ball from the Royals after a huge tackle on an ND player which led to OHS’ Amanda Cruz running in another try. Castro was good on another conversion to increase the Okkodo lead 31-0. The Bulldogs never slowed their pace and Vita scored another try with a good conversion by Castro to increase the lead to 38-0 as time ran down.

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PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

A Titan leaps over a GW defender to avoid being taken down in the second half. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Isaiah Macias passes the ball to his teammate while advancing up-field. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Brendan Santos of GW gets wrapped up and taken down by a Titan. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

The Geckos and the Titans prepare to scrum in the second half. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)