The Nightmare played their first home match of the season against DeSmet Jesuit High School. Both teams were playing with limited numbers, but ultimately it was the Nightmare who prevailed. The match began fairly evenly, with both teams driving toward their respective try lines. The Nightmare backed DeSmet up into their own half fairly quickly, but a bobbled catch on a kick led to DeSmet driving back down the field. A strong tryline stance by the Nightmare led to a DeSmet penalty, and the Nightmare recovered to drive back down the field. A poorly placed kick by DeSmet from their own try zone led to the Nightmare wrestling the ball out of the air at the 5 meter mark and newcomer Victor Navarro diving in for the try in the 14th minute - giving the Nightmare a 5-0 lead.
The back and forth continued for the next 10 minutes until DeSmet knocked the ball on, giving the Nightmare a scrum just inside their own 40 meter line. Captain Joseph Bustamante performed an 8-man pick off the back of the scrum and made a great solo run down the side of the field, fending off several defenders along the way and putting the ball down in the try zone for the Nightmare's second try of the day in the 25th minute. Navarro converted the kick, making the score 12-0 in favor of the Nightmare.
The first half ended with neither team gaining a distinct advantage, and the second half started much the same way. The Nightmare made several costly errors at crucial times, failing to capitalize on several scoring opportunities. They did, however, play excellent defense and kept DeSmet out of the try zone for the majority of the second half. In the 50th minute, the Nightmare drove the ball down the pitch and secured a lineout 10 meters from the try line. A well-executed maul off the lineout drew in DeSmet's defenders and created a gap, which Joseph Bustamante capitalized on by taking the ball off the back of the maul and slipping in through DeSmet's defensive gap for the try. The conversion was unsuccessful, but the Nightmare widened their lead to 17-0.
DeSmet charged back right after, and some costly penalties by the Nightmare allowed DeSmet to control the ball for the next 12 minutes while slowly driving down the field. On the 5 meter mark, DeSmet caught the Nightmare napping off a penalty and slipped in for a quick try in the 62nd minute. The failed conversion kick brought the score to 17-5. DeSmet continued to control the ball for the remainder of the game, but some well-timed defensive stands by the Nightmare kept DeSmet out of the try zone. Final score 17-5 in favor of the Nightmare.
Overall the team played well. They were aggressive on defense, made their tackles, countered in the ruck excellently, and kept playing hard. The larger issues were a hesitation to pass and costly penalties. They could have scored several more times in this match; but in the end, they held themselves back. We will continue to work on these things as we prepare for Eureka at home this coming Saturday, April 18. Kickoff is at 3:30pm. See you all there.
The back and forth continued for the next 10 minutes until DeSmet knocked the ball on, giving the Nightmare a scrum just inside their own 40 meter line. Captain Joseph Bustamante performed an 8-man pick off the back of the scrum and made a great solo run down the side of the field, fending off several defenders along the way and putting the ball down in the try zone for the Nightmare's second try of the day in the 25th minute. Navarro converted the kick, making the score 12-0 in favor of the Nightmare.
The first half ended with neither team gaining a distinct advantage, and the second half started much the same way. The Nightmare made several costly errors at crucial times, failing to capitalize on several scoring opportunities. They did, however, play excellent defense and kept DeSmet out of the try zone for the majority of the second half. In the 50th minute, the Nightmare drove the ball down the pitch and secured a lineout 10 meters from the try line. A well-executed maul off the lineout drew in DeSmet's defenders and created a gap, which Joseph Bustamante capitalized on by taking the ball off the back of the maul and slipping in through DeSmet's defensive gap for the try. The conversion was unsuccessful, but the Nightmare widened their lead to 17-0.
DeSmet charged back right after, and some costly penalties by the Nightmare allowed DeSmet to control the ball for the next 12 minutes while slowly driving down the field. On the 5 meter mark, DeSmet caught the Nightmare napping off a penalty and slipped in for a quick try in the 62nd minute. The failed conversion kick brought the score to 17-5. DeSmet continued to control the ball for the remainder of the game, but some well-timed defensive stands by the Nightmare kept DeSmet out of the try zone. Final score 17-5 in favor of the Nightmare.
Overall the team played well. They were aggressive on defense, made their tackles, countered in the ruck excellently, and kept playing hard. The larger issues were a hesitation to pass and costly penalties. They could have scored several more times in this match; but in the end, they held themselves back. We will continue to work on these things as we prepare for Eureka at home this coming Saturday, April 18. Kickoff is at 3:30pm. See you all there.
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