January 27- Arizona officially kicked off their 50th anniversary season yesterday in San Diego, taking on San Diego State in a non-conference clash to start 2019. With tight matches the past two seasons and a historic rivalry between the sides dating back through much of the previous seasons, a lot was at stake for two squads seeking playoff bids in the newly restructured D1A playoff picture.

 

Fortunately for the Wildcats their new captain Scrumhalf Matt Rogers made his presence felt in the first ten minutes, scoring a try and setting up a second by Flanker Sinclair Clinton after a chip ahead by Wing Garrett Walker to stake them to an early 12-0 lead. A penalty slotted by Anton Grigoriou (12 points) made it 15-0 before a SDSU try in response made it 15-7 at halftime.

 

“First halftime of the year is always very important. We expect effort and errors in that first 40 of the season, it’s about correcting those and getting in the habit of making adjustments in a match that will make the difference. Proud of our impact reserves for the great finish to the day” said Head Coach Sean Duffy.

 

The Wildcats certainly made those adjustments, doubling their point total in the next fifteen minutes thanks to a Grigoriou penalty and tries from Center Lou MacLaughlin and reserve Number Eight Riley Kerr to open the floodgates in the 42-7 victory to open the season. Additional tries by Clinton and reserve Winger George Niethammer rounded out the comprehensive first win of the season in a tough road environment.
 

Arizona Second XV also kicked off on the trip, taking on the University of San Diego on Friday evening and earning a 37-8 victory over the Toreros. Arizona Third XV moved to 2-0 on the year, taking down San Diego State Second XV 74-0 to finish the weekend 3-0 for the program.

 

11th ranked Arizona will return home to Tucson for their home opener on Saturday against Utah State for the first matchup between the schools in recent memory.

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First XV vs SDSU

W 42-7

Tries: 5- Clinton (2), M. Rogers, MacLaughlin, Kerr, Niethammer

Conv: Grigoriou- 3/5, Figley- 0/1

Pen: Grigoriou- 2/2

 

Second XV vs USD

W 37-8

Tries: 5- Sargeant, McCrossin, Kerr, Richardson, Miller

Conv: Figley- 2/3, Agasse- 1/2

Pen: Figley- 2/2

 

Third XV vs SDSU 2nd XV

W 74-5

Tries: 12- Clarke (3), Agasse, N. Thompson, Richardson, Coray-Dozier, Miller, Rollins, Start, Sargeant, Davison

Conv: Agasse- 7/12

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Arizona First XV vs SDSU

1. Chaz Huntsman

2. Chris McBride

3. Ryan Thompson

4. Billy Esposito

5. Bronson Teles (VC)

6. Sinclair Clinton

7. Ben Scoular

8. Fabian Lumsden

9. Matt Rogers (C)

10. Anton Grigoriou

11. Jon Rogers

12. Lou MacLaughlin

13. Kyle Fulton

14. Garrett Walker

15. Jonah Eldridge

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16. Zach Biggs

17. Braeden Looper

18. Theo Smith

19. Riley Kerr

20. Zach Heisterkamp

21. Robert Figley

22. Lucas Bartzis

23. George Niethammer

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