Stanford University 14 - Santa Clara University 10

January 20, 2024
Steuber Rugby Stadium
Stanford, CA

Stanford Men's Rugby took on Santa Clara University for a preseason scrimmage on home grounds on a wet Saturday afternoon. Hats off to Will Gibson '25 and Colin Grant who played their first match for Stanford Rugby. Gibson, from Dallas, Texas, has been hard at work this quarter picking up the sport for the first time and earned starting honors at lock for the match. 

Early in the match, Santa Clara found the tryline in the wide channel to go up 5-0. Nearing the ten minute mark, the Cardinal would strike back. A penalty awarded from the scrum in the attacking 22 meters led to a series of strong carries by Captain Diego Burgos '24, #8 Kasen Stephensen, and #4 Gibson. About 10 meters out, Gibson charged the Bronco defense who would commit three players to bringing down the Cardinal lock. A quick pick by #7 Duncan Ross '24 as he spotted the vacant space at the fringe would find him through the gap and offloading the scrumhalf Taki Rifai for the try just outside the posts. Burgos would convert the try putting the Cardinal in the lead 7-5. 

The next 20 minutes was a battle between the teams as possession went from team to team and the ball moved around the park. Stanford showed strong defensive efforts to contain Santa Clara through line speed and first up tackles. 

In the 30th minute, the Cardinal were awarded a penalty just as the Broncos were breaking into Cardinal territory. #10 Lucas Cavalieri kicked the ball downfield into the hands of the Bronco winger. A hasty kick chase by Rifai and Anders Luffman, pinned the Broncos into the 22m. The Broncos would win a penalty, but an overthrown lineout would find Burgos with ball in hand crashing through the defense. Four strong forward ruck picks inched the Cardinal attack towards the goal line. An ensuing penalty on the Broncos was taken quickly by Rifai who was met with a high tackle as his tackler met with a yellow card. Ross punched over the goal line, converted the try and the Cardinal would take a 14-5 lead at halftime.

The Broncos regrouped and came out bucking and put up an early try in the 41st minute. It would go unconverted and the Cardinals were on alert as the Broncos were now within a try with plenty of game time ahead. #15 Walter Woo '24, who would relieve Rifai at scrumhalf at the half, orchestrated the game and pushed the pace of the Cardinal attack when it suited the squad. The Cardinal showed great promise in their defensive game and improvements in ball retention at set pieces and rucks. The second half would bring about two yellow cards for the Cardinal, making for an exciting finish to the match as the Cardinal played a player down to close out the match. Special recognition to #5 lock Conner Mehaffey for his workrate in tackles and rucks as he battled through the entire match. 

The Cardinal will face American River College for their first league match on Saturday January 27th at 1:00pm at home at Steuber Rugby Stadium. 

Tries: Taki Rifai, Duncan Ross
Conversions: Diego Burgos (2)