Full size field, softened from rain the previous days. Quite hot, 75-80 degrees and humid. I commend both teams for playing a good honest game and helping to keep the penalty count very low. McAllen were larger than the underpowered UH (missing players due to travel distance) and used their size advantage to great effect. UH got easily frusturated with their mistakes only to cause more problems for themselves- enabling McAllen to score some quite easy tries. The heat definetly played a part in this game - McAllen score 5 tries in the 1st half, but only 1 in 2nd half. The heat slowed the players down greatly as the game wore on.
McAllen:
4:06
16:00
25:00 (con)
28:30
38:00 (con)
65:00 (con)
Final Score: 36
University of Houston:
Final Score: 0
Notes:
near radius event
zone inconsistency
improved ruck straight down management
scrum management good - early drives and improper binding stopped before starting
contentious try was scored. I was not 100% sure of score, but quite confident. It was a muscle over try...need to be better prepared for positioning.
lots of offside at kicks
prevented UH quick taps on a number of occasions. Need to endeavor to allow this when they seem to want to go quick.
low penalty count - 14
I must say that McAllen were excellent hosts. I was pleasantly surprised by the environment on the border. I flew down to McAllen on Saturday morning - I was picked up by a team member and taken out for a bit of lunch in preparation of a 2 PM kickoff. McAllen have got a nice full size pitch and had beer and food for both teams following the game. Further than that - one of the team members owns a hooters.....so we spent much of the evening at the hooters drinking free beer and eating free wings! Following that, we had a good time in the wild McAllen mexico border bar scene. McAllen has created a nice strip in their downtown for a great nightlife atmosphere. The McAllen guys - like all rugby players - know how to have a good time. I hope I get sent to the border to referee again - it was a surprisingly nice area. Oh, and the Mexican food was delicious. I flew back to Houston sunday morning....with very little "sleep."
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