Youth Sports Report:

Sharks stay undefeated with victory against Weston

Posted Jan 31, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Feb 1, 2010 at 11:43 AM

ODESSA – The Tampa Sharks remained undefeated, moving to 3-0 on the season, but it took a while for the side to warm up before it defeated Weston 38-5 in the Florida Youth Rugby League First Division on Saturday afternoon at the Keystone Recreation Center.

With early errors leading to losses of possession and penalties, the Sharks had to withstand pressure in their own half from the Lancasters. But Weston was unable to take advantage of the gains they were able to make through the Sharks’ mistakes as the Tampa defense held firm.

The Sharks, on the other hand, were able to capitalize on the Lancasters errors, opening the scoring late in the first half. Outside center Tony Chalk came close after the Sharks won a scrum against the head, but he stepped out of bound 7 meters from the goal line. From the ensuing line-out, though, the Lancasters throw went beyond its intended target, and Sharks scrum half Danny Del Pino was the first to react, picking up the ball and diving over for the opening try. Dion Opperman conversion gave the Sharks a 7-0 lead.

Another turnover of possession shortly after by Weston in its own half was seized upon by Chalk. His pass inside to Opperman allowed the fly half to set up a ruck close to the Lancaster’s line, and on the second phase of possession Garrison Cohen touched down for a 12-0 halftime lead.

“We were overly excited in the beginning, and getting a lot of offsides and coming over the top, hands in the ruck, mental mistakes, but once the boys settled in, they really did well,” Sharks coach Dave McFadden said.

The Sharks again capitalized on an error by the Lancasters early in the second half, winning another scrum against the head inside the Weston 22-meter line, which allowed Thomas Del Pino to send a low kick down the right side for Chris Collins to touch down for a 17-0 lead. A penalty shortly after 15 meters from the Weston line was taken forward initially by Shane Cordeleone, who was brought down inside the 5-meter line, but on the third phase of the ruck, Terry Fresne was able to go over for the try, Opperman’s conversion making the score 24-0.

The Lancasters got on the board straight from the ensuing kickoff to cut the score to 24-5, but the Sharks immediately hit back as the Lancasters tried to run out of their own end. An errent pass was anticipated well and intercepted by Jesse Anaya, who went in untouched under the posts, Opperman’s conversion making the score 31-5. Anaya then scored his second try of the game late as he was slipped in by Danny Del Pino’s pass after a lineout close to the Lancasters goal line.

McFadden said he thought the experience Opperman and Danny Del Pino brought to the side had been key to the side’s success.

“They’re very experience, way more than most kids because they were raised playing rugby, so that helps us to do well and capitalize when the other team has a misstep,” McFadden said. “When the ball’s in hand, I’m very happy with the way we play.”

The Sharks will next host Naples next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. before they get their bye week.