SFGG have taken over the top spot in the table thanks to the 49-17 win over Denver at Infinity Park on Saturday. The win moves SFGG just past the Glendale Raptors, who had the weekend off. Additionally, coupled with OMBAC’s win Belmont Shore, Golden Gate now have a solid grip on one of the top playoff spots.
The match wasn’t always a sure victory for SFGG as Denver came out attacking and earned an early lead. The Barbarians have been playing good rugby over the last month let by Ata Malifa and Max De Achaval and both would have an impact in the first half. Marcus Taylor put Denver up 7-0 just five minutes into the match before Pila Huihui would grab a try back for Golden Gate a few minutes later. Still, a penalty from Max De Achaval and a try from fly-half Ata Malifa gave Denver a 17-5 lead with roughly 25 minutes gone.
However, Denver’s momentum was stopped when Volney Rouse hit a penalty and then Mile Pulu scored a try to make it 17-13 at halftime. Rouse would hit another penalty just a minute after the break before Golden Gate would blow the match open in their favor. Tries from Seamus Kelly, Patrick Latu, Opeti Okusi, Tim Buchanan, and Huihui would turn what was a close match into another big win for Golden Gate.
Up next for SFGG is OMBAC with another chance to put distance between themselves an another playoff chaser. The Barbarians chances of making the playoffs aren’t lost but they will need to be perfect the rest of the way and hope Glendale or SFGG make major mistakes.
SFGG
Tries: Huihui (2), Pulu, Kelly, Latu, Okusi, Buchanan
Conversions: Rouse (4)
Penalties: Rouse (2)
Denver Barbarians
Tries: Taylor, Malifa
Conversions: De Achaval (2)
Penalties: De Achaval