Napa Stormers Improved Ranking Position & Headed to NorCal Playoffs This Weekend

The Napa Stormers Varsity Rugby team moved up the Northern Californian rankings last weekend with a victory on the road against one of the perennial Nor Cal powers Lamorinda, beating them 39 – 12. 

Ranked 10th at the start of the weekend the Stormers climbed to seventh with a convincing team effort that saw them play every facet of their game plan to perfection. 

Zach Gassner, a winger, had one of the games of his life  with a hat trick of tries in the first half alone with all three a result of his determination and tenacity. “Zach had a great first half without a doubt, but what you don’t see on the score sheet are the three assists from Connor Whitecotton” said Coach Jack Emerson.

 With the forward pack, the engine room of the Stormers team, showing great unity of purpose from the start, clean and controlled possession of the ball ensured that the week’s designed plays were executed well. 

Whitecotton’s distribution to the backline and control of the forwards saw him also have a season best performance with his support of Gassner contributing much to the score-line. 

The Stormers “offensive” defense was on display as usual with up-front tackles and follow up support scavenging play evident from 1 through 15. This paid dividends as flyhalf Chad Frasier scored another first half try from open play. Lock Mason Banducci who challenged every lineout on the day constantly disrupted the Lamorinda possession. 

A ranging tackle from Rueda Arreguin was quickly supported by fierce driving and ball “hawking” from inside center Cody Dusky. On hand and running onto the ball at speed was Frasier, who charged over the line for the score with a coat of three or four Lamorinda defenders. 

At the half time break up 22-0 the Stormers coaching staff called for composure in sticking with their system. The Stormers were heading into the second half defending a lead against the strong wind and an undoubtedly refocused Lamorinda side.  

From the off Lamorinda constructed a converted try, to score 7 quick points to start the second half. Calm and purpose were needed, and stepping up to the call was fullback Luke Kampton who expressed to his team mates to refocus and play Stormers rugby. 

“Luke is an attacking threat whenever he gets the ball but today his maturity and leadership contributed to the team win” said coach Dennis Whitecotton.

Smarting from having their line breached the Stormers pounded the sideline confident that lifters Trevor Pappas and Saul Romero, would continue to compete in the lineouts. One of these  pressured lineouts gave the Stormers possession with an attacking scrum. 

The forwards would not be denied the opportunity to add to the score as they laid siege the Lamorinda line with relentless phases of possession. Finally forcing the ball down for the 5 points was Rueda-Arreguin. “It was a clinical display of ball control and possession. The engine room worked really hard and deserved that try” noted coach Trevor Terrill. 

Buoyed with a new confidence the Stormers set to work again controlling almost all facets of play. The sixth try of the day was Gassner’s fourth engineered by the trickery of a Frasier cross kick that fell behind the defense allowing Gassner to utilize his speed to scoop up the loose ball and charge over the line for another five pointer. 

After a big day “at the office” Gassner would earn an early break allowing Tarik Fahmy to be an impact player and gain valuable field time. Whitecotton more than earned his rest with James Prager continuing in the scrum half role. 

Romero gave way to Logan Romaine at prop and Cole Miller came on for Pierce Young who had an epic day at loose forward. Sophomore Theo Barnum was the last of the rotation to make the field and made an immediate impression with his trademark penetrating runs from the fly-half position. 

Lamorinda would score a try against the run of play due to the unpredictable wind and lucky bounce of the ball. Scything attacks from the Stormers in the shape of Kampton and fellow  center Anthony Pilotti stretched the Lamorinda defense once again. 

In support of this a 45 yard sideline break from #2 Nolan Kelnhofer who set up the last try of the day for Branum who scored to close out the game as a contest. Kicker and lock Jared Reich made his second conversion as the clock ran down ending a well rounded team effort by the Stormers. 

As is customary the teams gathered at half way to reflect upon the day’s game with Lamorinda rewarding the Ghilotti Brothers – Men of the Match to forward Abel Rueda-Arreguin and the backs accolade going to Connor Whitecotton. 

This weekend the Stormers headed to the Nor Cal Championships with both the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams participating. 

“For only our second season in existence this is a truly amazing achievement” says Coach Barend Venter “and especially for our Junior Varsity team who compete in the Silver Championship game with most of the boys playing rugby for the first time this season. On top of that the JV went unbeaten during the regular league schedule which is awesome!” 

The championships took place at Cherry Island Soccer Complex in Elverta. We will wait to hear how the Stormers performed!