The two teams pose together under the goalposts at Wilder after the match.
The Lamorinda Rugby JV team got a taste of international rugby flavor this week. On Tuesday, Lamo players met players from Shawnigan Lakes (British Columbia) and took them into their homes as guests for the night. The following night, the two teams played each other at Wilder Field in Orinda. The Shawnigan players started the game with a furious pace and scored twice to go ahead 12-0 in the early minutes. Lamorinda fought back and tied the game at halftime 12-12. The Lamorinda players had woken up and in the second half put 24 unanswered points on the board. Final Score: Lamo 36-Shawnigan 12.
Zach Barker (Miramonte), Nick Bettencourt (Acalanes) each scored tries with Kaleo Nelson (Campolindo) converting the extra points. Logan Branch (Acalanes) had a couple of 20-yard runs and Nick Miller (Miramonte) had some nice tackles in the match. Following the match, both teams awarded players of the match to the other team and sat down for a post-match pasta feed as is the custom in rugby. Lamo players hosted the Shawnigan players one more night at their homes and wished them good luck on the rest of their tour of Northern California. The Lamorinda JV team is looking to continue their undefeated season with a playoff run that will end in April.
Shawnigan Coach Ander Monro congratulates Lamo on the match and thanks them for their hospitality. Lamo players, pictured from left, Nick Miller, Nick Pearson, Marco Nykodym, Miles Beaubelle, Konrad Mader, Tighe Tejada, Dominic Bradley, Nick Bettencourt, Max Schoenberger, Owen McNamara, Alex Cortessis, Logan Branch, Mateo Larson.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA