WPL Match Report by Marea Blue: New York vs San Diego Surfers [VIDEO]

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule, Match Reports and Results here.

by Marea Blue:

If you were to ask a San Diego fan to describe the first half highlights of the Surfers’ final home game against New York, they would likely mention the sunshine and the Rubio’s free taco truck.

San Diego and New York battled back and forth ferociously for much of the first forty, but neither side had much to show for it until almost ten minutes before the end of the half.

The Surfers’ finally got on the board when the backline found a gap between the New York centers and passed the ball wide to winger Val Griffeth, who was tackled just short of the goal line. Flanker Julia Anderson picked the ball off of the ensuing ruck and muscled her way into the try zone to put the Surfers up by 5.

New York answered back almost immediately when center Rebecca Braffman dumped a pass inside to inserting fullback Vaneesha McGee just feet from the sideline. McGee darted in untouched to tie the game 5 – 5 before the end of the half.

The Surfers’ extended their lead in the second half when a dropped New York pass was scooped off the deck and into the arms of lock Emily Ogata, who burst in for a try.

Minutes later, Griffeth got an opportunity to avenge the thwarting of her first half breakaway when the Surfers exploited an overload in the backs and put her in the open on the right sideline. Griffeth sprinted fifty meters to put the Surfers up 15 – 5.
San Diego prop Jenny Chow brought a burst of energy to the Surfers the latter part of the second half, deflecting defenders and scoring back to back tries. Griffeth and outside center Emilie Bydwell added one try apiece in the final minutes of the half and center Kirstin Hartos converted one.

New York had several promising forward drives and breakaways from McGee and their speedy back three, but they were unable to get back into the try zone. The Surfers came away with the 37 – 5 win.

Match Video

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule, Match Reports and Results here.