Back Bay Sharks nearly, but not quite hooked by North County San Diego County

NEWPORT BEACH - Against a backdrop of crashing surf and rustling palms, local Newport boys, the Back Bay Rugby Football Club, played host to the North San Diego County Gurkhas on Saturday at the Peninsula Park Athletic Field.

The Back Bay Sharks were feeling like pretty big fish after a string of shutout wins, an undefeated season, and the handing of an 81-0 loss to the record of the second-ranked team in the league last Saturday. Additionally, the Sharks were looking for vengeance from the Gurkhas after the North County Squad bumped Back Bay out of playoff contention last season. It should have been payback time for the now seasoned Sharks.

Though the pregame analysis weighed heavily in Back Bay’s favor, after the first whistle the Sharks were faced with the ever true reality that every Saturday is a new Rugby Day where victories are ceased by the aggressor. The Sharks looked surprised when, through tough defense and hard running, the Gurkhas took the lead early and continued to add to it until at mid first half the Gurkhas’ lead 12-6. The Gurkhas were successful in frustrating the Sharks’ game of quick ball to their run and gun offense, disturbing the Sharks usual rhythm.

Fortunately, for the Newport Boys the Sharks’ Jean Luc Del Fante kicked three successful penalty kicks including 35-meter drop kick to give the Sharks a slight lead the half of 12-10. Solid tackles, appearing painful to onlookers, by Pete Denehe and Paul Hatherly were sure to remind the Gurkhas that their efforts came at a cost.

In the second half, the Gurkhas answered Back Bay with their own successful drop kick to start the second half to take the lead13-12. North County extended its lead with another penalty kick and another try upping the Sharks with a score of 21-12, 10 minutes before the final whistle.

Searching the faces of the Sharks you could detect a sentiment of “Is this really happening?” That question tacitly posited, a determined Shark contingent replied with a prideful “Not on my watch!” The Sharks retaliated as full back, Paul Hatherly, scored a try that Jean Luc Del Fante converted to cut down the Gurkhas lead to two.

With just four minutes on the clock the Sharks capitalized on a Gurkha penalty, offsides, and once again it was veteran Jean Luc Del Fante’s concentration under pressure to score on the penalty kick and take back the lead for the Sharks, 22-21. The Sharks defense had held the Gurkhas attack for the remainder of the match, and took the local boys took the V. And despite the nail biter of a game Back Bay can still boast an undefeated season and a record of 7-0.

The Sharks second team had a little bit of an easier time, despite a sleepy first half, making many mistakes and simply not playing to their strengths. They found themselves winning at half by a mere two points, and unusually small lead for this squad. This was no small matter for the Shark head coach James Fonda who rose to the occasion and gave a halftime speech that would make Knute Rockne proud. In his address to the squad he alluded to the heart for which he became noteworthy when he was a playing member of the Shark team and implored the boys to emulate him. He even threatened to put his boots on and show the young side how it should be done. The talk was apparently effective: the Sharks came back in the second half looking for prey and on the attack. In the next 35 minutes Back Bay scored four tries and converted three conversions. Tries were scored by Ikai Simione, Stanton Sharpe, and Jeff Christian. At the end of the day it was Derek Satterfield who received Man of the Match award for the second week in a row. His tough tackling and support all over the field again earned him the honor. The Sharks won 33-5.

The Sharks will be playing at home at Peninsula Park by the Balboa Pier April 4th. This game will be the last game of the season for the Sharks. The Sharks will face the San Fernando Rugby Football Club. Kick off will be at 2 p.m.