Defending RSL Champ Belmont Shore Continues Their Winning Ways; Others nab road victories 

DALLAS  (March 19, 2005) - The highly anticipated 2005 RSL Season began this afternoon with a full, 8-match schedule focusing on rekindled rivalries in newly aligned conference play.

Impressive victories in the opening weekend saw defending RSL Champion Belmont Shore continue their torrid pace with an entertaining 12-point showing over the retooled Olympic Club Blues. The "O" Club put quite a scare into the Whalers, down by seven in the final minutes, Olympic drove deep into the Belmont end, pressing hard for a tying try. However, a turnover by Olympic was converted into an 80 meter Belmont attack and try in the final seconds of the game to seal a 38-26 week one victory.

In other Western Conference action, OMBAC clearly stated its intent to pursue the 2005 championship with a solid 30-17 victory over Aspen. Up North, San Francisco-Golden Gate squeaked past the Dallas Harlequins 25-24. The Quins lost the lead with five minutes to go when Gate slotted a late penalty kick. Dallas responded with multiple forays into the San Francisco end but missed two long penalty kicks in the final minute. Quins coach Mark McCloy noted, "It was a good game, we had our opportunities but came up short."  Meanwhile, Denver and Old Puget Sound slugged it out during a rainy, windy day in Seattle, with Denver stealing a 16 - 5 road victory.

The Eastern Conference action featured an impressive 41 - 0 road win for Old Blue over Washington. PAC traveled to Philadelphia-Whitemarsh and nailed an equally strong 37-5 win. New York Athletic Club were the only home winners in the round, 31-10 over Northeast rival Boston RFC. In Kansas City, the Chicago Lions and Blues showcased a physical Midwest battle.  The Lions slotted a pair of penalty kicks in the first frame. The Blues however let points go begging when they were thwarted on a number of attempts to score tries off penalties instead of kicking for points and KC went into the break down 6-0.  In the second half, both squads found a bit more success in reaching the end zone, with the Lions running out a 25-12 victory.

The USA Rugby Super League is proudly sponsored by Michelob Amberbock, the official beer of the Rugby Super League, by Kudu Rugby, the official rugby outfitter of the Rugby Super League, by Summitt Rugby Balls, the official ball of the Rugby Super League and by Rugby America, official screen printer of the Rugby Super League.

RSL WESTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
Olympic Club Blues 26 @ 38 Belmont Shore
Gentleman of Aspen 17 @ 30 OMBAC
Dallas Harlequins 24 @ 25 SF Golden Gate
Denver Barbarians 16 @ 5 Old Puget Sound Beach

RSL EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
Boston 10 @ 31 New York Athletic Club
Chicago Lions 25 @ 12 Kansas City Blues
Old Blue 41 @ 0 Washington
Potomac Athletic Club 37 @ 5 Philadelphia-Whitemarsh