(Sheri Batten photo)
|
SMC led at halftime, but a dramatic second half nearly saw Davis steal the limelight and go through to the Round of 16.
As a result, the Gaels will travel to Atlanta for the opening rounds of the nationals.
“It was an absolutely fantastic match,” UC Davis head coach Andy Malpass told ARN. “They were two great teams and it’s just a shame that both couldn’t go through.
“I’m proud of the boys and proud of the program. We play in a tough bracket and every year one of us has to stay home and that’s tough to swallow.”
Scrumhalf and goal-kicker Tyler Harrison got Davis’ first points about 15 minutes into the game with a penalty goal.
Soon after, the Gaels got on the board via an Austen Mount penalty shot. The forwards then worked a five-meter scrum and Kyle Batten scored, and with the conversion by Mount, St Mary’s jumped out in front 10-3.
Brandon Vedder scored next from a hard worked, very patient pushover try from five meters out and Mount once again converted for 17-7 scoreline.
Davis responded and were clearly not going to give in answering with a try up the side by flanker Johnny Volan to make it 17-10 at the half.
Pat Grass scored for St Mary's, and Angus Brown and Sam Shackleford touched down for Davis to bring the score to 25-22 with under five minutes to go.
Mistakes cost the Gaels a penalty in front of the posts and Harrison was good with the kick to level the scores at 25-25 at the end of regulation.
The match then went into two 10-minute periods of extra time.
Kyle Batten got his second try for St Mary’s in the first overtime period and it turned out to be the game-winner as UC Davis couldn’t break through for another score.
It was the third time in as many years that St Mary’s has edged UC Davis in the championship game to determine the Pac Coast’s third seed.
|
ARN’s coverage of the 2009 men’s college playoffs is proudly presented by Down Under Rugby.
Take your game to the next level by experiencing rugby in Australia. For more information visit www.downunderrugby.com
