Strong start leads to 43-22 victory in West Regional Consolation Game
National Collegiate Rugby Men's Small College West Regional Tournament Central
VALLEJO, Calif. – Following a tough result in Saturday's Men's Small College West Regional semifinal, No. 20 Cal Maritime responded by scoring the first 24 points of Sunday's consolation matchup against No. 10 Colorado School of Mines.
Zion Jerge scored three of the Keelhaulers' first four tries to help his team build a 24-0 lead until Colorado School of Mines scored its first points of the day after 25 minutes of action.
A first half completely dominated by CSUM continued throughout the final five-plus minutes before halftime when Cade Temple and Roman Portilla each tacked on another five points; another pair of successful conversions from Connor Hannon pushed the Keelhaulers' lead to 28 at the break.
Even though CSM scored 12 unanswered once play resumed to trim Cal Maritime's lead to 14, but the Orediggers found no answers to the Keelhaulers' attack as Jerge capped an outstanding day by scoring his fourth try to cement the victory for Cal Maritime.
A similar situation took place in the following game between Cal Poly Humboldt and Western Oregon: In this matchup for the automatic berth at the national tournament, it was the Lumberjacks who enjoyed a quick and early lead by dominating play from the opening whistle, until halftime.
The defending national champions scored 24 points throughout the first 25 minutes and did not allow a point until Western Oregon broke CPH's scoring run with a penalty kick that took place with 9:55 remaining until halftime.
By defeating the Wolves, 71-3, Cal Poly Humboldt punched its ticket to next month's Men's Small College National Championship in Houston.
Scoring Summaries
#20 Cal Maritime 43, #10 Colorado School of Mines 22 (Consolation Game)
2:57 CSUM Zion Jerge 5, Connor Hannon 2
8:12 CSUM Zion Jerge 5, Connor Hannon 2
15:10 CSUM Brycen Young 5
18:57 CSUM Zion Jerge 5
25:46 CSM #9 3
31:17 CSUM Ryan Packard 5, Roman Portilla 2
34:36 CSUM Cade Temple 5, Connor Hannon 2
39:37 CSM #9 5, #15 2
Halftime Score: #20 Cal Maritime 38, #10 Colorado School of Mines 10
2:47 CSM #9 5, #15 2
14:25 CSM #9 5
40:00 CSUM Zion Jerge 5
#2 Cal Poly Humboldt 36, #8 Western Oregon 3 (Championship Game)
5:10 CPH #5 5
13:34 CPH #1 5, #15 2
19:14 CPH #14 5
24:34 CPH #3 5, #15 2
31:05 WO #12 3
35:57 CPH #5 5
40:00 CPH #1 5, #15 2
Halftime Score: #2 Cal Poly Humboldt 36, #8 Western Oregon 3
2:08 CPH #14 5, #15 2
9:24 CPH #9 5, #15 2
19:46 CPH #15 5, #15 2
21:07 CPH #16 5, #15 2
28:48 CPH #8 5, #15 2