WPL Match Report by Marea Blue – Surfers vs Amazons [VIDEO]

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule and Results here.

by Marea Blue:

Both the San Diego Surfers and the Twin City Amazons entered Week 3 of WPL play in the unique position of being conference leaders and underdogs.

Both teams were 2 – 0 going into the weekend, but it’s safe to say that their success thus far was a surprise to everyone; the Amazons have traditionally shared a spotlight with their crosstown rivals, and the Surfers (who?) are competing for the first time in the WPL after moving up this year from Division I.

It looked like it was going to be a long morning for the Surfers when Amazon lock Stacey Bridges got a breakaway just minutes after the match kicked-off. San Diego 8-Man Emily Ogata was able to chase her down short of the try zone, but the Amazons took advantage of their field position. An 8-Man pick followed by two quick forward punches created enough space for Amazon flanker Morgan Johnson to dive in the first five points of the game.

Amazons 5, Surfers 0

The Amazons continued to dominate the Surfers early in the match with quick crashes around the fringes of the ruck that kept the San Diego defense on their back foot and scrambling to realign. Around minute eleven, inside center Sylvia Braaten broke a tackle and put the Amazons up by ten.

Amazons 10, Surfers 0

The Surfers were finally able to gain some momentum when a series of penalties by the ‘Zons allowed prop Jillian Duggan to quick tap the Surfers into an attacking position. Another penalty play near the goal line followed by quick ball movement through the backline gave winger Casey Fields a chance to turn the corner and put the Surfers on the board.

Amazons 10, Surfers 5

The Amazons continued to challenge the Surfers’ defense with a relentless forward attack and quick field switches by the backline. However, the Amazons struggled with penalties, and the Surfers were given another opportunity to run a penalty play near the Twin City try zone. San Diego crashed weak, the ball spun out to the backs, and Surfers prop Kate Rohr received a pass off the flyhalf’s inside hip to tear her way into the try zone and tie the game. Center Kirstin Hartos converted to put the Surfers up by two at the end of the half.

Amazons 10, Surfers 12

The Surfers tried to slow down the game in the second half, prying the ball out of Duggan’s eager hands after ‘Zon penalties and kicking for real estate, but the Amazons were still able to work their way back into Surfer territory. San Diego stuffed a Twin Cities crash after a lineout to foil one scoring attempt, but the Amazons kept the ball alive and dished immediately to Braaten who dove in her second try of the game. Flyhalf Rebecca Radtke’s conversion kick was good.

Amazons 17, Surfers 12

The Surfers answered with a long offensive possession dominated by forward play that ended with the backs switching the field and spinning the ball to inserting fullback Mandy Wilson who darted in for the tying try.

Amazons 17, Surfers 17

As the minutes ticked down in the last quarter of the game, Surfer flyhalf Marea Blue received a pass off of a lineout, squeezed through a half gap in the Amazon backline and slid in for a try.

Amazons 17, Surfers 23

The Amazons were unable to find the try zone in the final minutes and the San Diego Surfers came away with the win. The Surfers and the Zons meet again next weekend for a rematch in Minnesota.

Match Video

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule and Results here.