WFR News
PIONEERS FALL SHORT IN CALIFORNIA DESPITE LATE FIGHTBACK
2026-10-04 11:39:14
A heartbreaking 21–17 defeat left the Peninsula Pioneers ruing missed opportunities and a late defensive lapse against the Californian Grizzlies, compounded by a serious injury to star playmaker Romain Ntamack. Despite leading at the break and fighting until the final whistle, a late surge by the home side proved too much to overcome.
The Pioneers took a 7–0 lead into halftime thanks to a converted try by Tom Sanders. However, the Grizzlies dominated the second-half scoring, crossing the line three times through Marco van Staden, Mark Telea, and Cory Daniel.
A late 80th-minute fightback and try by the Pioneers' Freddie Douglas narrowed the final deficit, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.
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The Pioneers took a 7–0 lead into halftime thanks to a converted try by Tom Sanders. However, the Grizzlies dominated the second-half scoring, crossing the line three times through Marco van Staden, Mark Telea, and Cory Daniel.
A late 80th-minute fightback and try by the Pioneers' Freddie Douglas narrowed the final deficit, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.