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The Tuskers, winless in two, drop to fifth place in their division as they fell to visiting San Fernando Valley in their home opener this past Saturday, 41-19.

San Fernando found the try zone early and led the match 14-0 midway through the first half. Kern County under pressure mounted a defensive stand against five San Fernando forward phases to keep them within two trys of tying the game. After winning a 50m scrum, the Tuskers moved up pitch with multiple forward phases driving the ball inside the San Fernando 22m line. Taking scissor from Mark Eberhard, rookie Jeremy Ramirez, broke two tackles as he raced in for the Tuskers first try of the match. A tough conversion attempt from the touchline was missed, and Kern County was within nine.

Twelve minutes later the Tuskers, would score their second try of the match from a series of forward phases that were started by a blocked clearance kick and a knock on resulting in a scrum to Kern County at the San Fernando 10m line. Winning the scrum, Tuskers Jeremy Roberts received the ball and ran straight up the middle and over the try line. A successful conversion brought Kern County within two points, 12-14, with two minutes left in the first half.

San Fernando began the second half with a kick off but regained possession after wining a scrum against the head, then gaining territory, scored their third try of the match, and with a failed conversion attempt, increased their lead to seven points. Kern County countered quickly with a strike from Steve Rodriquez, as he put on the moves and hooked up with winger support, Travis Johnson, who ran up the touchline, made a cut back to the middle and scored between the posts. The conversion was good and the game was tied 19-19.

The rest of the second half belonged to San Fernando as they wore down the Tusker defense with multiple forward phases resulting in three additional trys. Down by fifteen, Kern County moved the ball down the pitch several times but could not get past a stingy San Fernando defense The final blow came at the 80 minute mark with one final try and a successful conversion, giving San Fernando a 41-19 victory and improving their record to 2-0, and placing them 3rd in the division.

“We need to be more fit and continue to learn as the Tuskers are very young. There is much talent on the pitch that will only get better as the season progresses”, Tuskers head coach, Tim Antongiovanni stated after the match.

Jeremy Ramirez received the Kern County Man of the Match Award and the Kern Wood Award for biggest hit, went to Kelly Naden. The Tuskers have a bye this week and will resume play on Saturday, January 31st against the NC Gurkhas, at Emerald Cove Park. Kick off is at 1PM.