Week Two of 2005 RSL Season Loaded with Close Matches and Dominating Performances; Belmont Shore and NYAC Pull out Hard Fought W’s in Final Minutes

DALLAS (March 26, 2005) – The second week of the seven-week RSL regular season featured home dominance, road warriors, close battles and lopsided victories. This week showcased the league’s parity and skill that is synonymous with Rugby Super League. 

Both the Eastern and Western division featured barnburners between top clubs in both divisions.   In the Eastern Conference, New York Athletic Club (NYAC) won over Potomac Athletic Club (PAC) by the slimmest of margins, 15 –14.  After two first half tries by PAC’s Danzel Van Zyl and Mark Crick PAC claimed the 14-10 half time edge. The second half featured many grueling phases and mauls dominated by forward play.  PAC survived 10 minutes down man late in the game only to yield an injury time try by NYAC’s Dave Kennedy gaving NYAC just enough to leave the pitch with a win. 

In the West, Belmont Shore followed suit and was able to narrowly defeat Old Puget Sound Beach (OPSB) on a last minute try in injury time, winning 34-27. The back and forth rhythm of this match provided quite a workout for referee Simon Page on a muggy afternoon on the campus of Cal State Long Beach.  The penalty filled match was capped by a tremendous final five minutes of regulation where forward battles and territorial kicking from both sides kept the score locked at 27 as the game reached the 80-minute mark.  In injury time the Belmont backs were able to keep pressure on OPSB.  On one Belmont foray into OPSB territory, Belmont winger Tony Fratangelo sprang free for a game winning 10m try. Time expired immediately after Fratangelo’s run giving Belmont the 34-27 victory. 

In other Western Conference action, lead by #11 David Burt’s three tries, OMBAC continued their red-hot play by winning a tough road match 36-25 over host Dallas. In San Francisco, the Denver Barbarians held off a clawing Olympic Club Blues 12-5 for Denver’s second victory of the young season. The Barbarians never trailed in this match as #10 Link Wilfley’s foot converted all of Denver’s points off of penalty kicks. The match pitting San Francisco GG against the Gentlemen of Aspen was postponed due to inclement weather. The RSL competition committee will determine when this match will be rescheduled.  

The Eastern Conference featured another dominating performance by Old Blue, as they defeated visiting Kansas City 32-7.  Old Blue jumped out to an early 15-0 half time lead and never looked back as Old Blue scored five tries on the day mostly on long trots from their speedy backs.  Old Blue takes sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference leading NYAC by one point.  Philadelphia-Whitemarsh nailed an injury depleted Boston RFC side with a 33-0 victory. Philly-Whitemarsh (1-1) found the try zone five times on the day and #10 Jason Forrest converted on 4/5 of Philly’s conversions.
In the windy city, the Chicago Lions continued their winning ways by defeating Washington 32-7 in a one-sided match that Chicago lead from start to finish.  Lead by captain Scott Jones’ and #11 Jeremy Nakkans’ early scores, Chicago jumped to an early 14-0 advantage.  Chicago finished the match with the same quick scoring that started it.  Chicago scored two quick tries by backs (#13) Scott Peterson and (#14) Eddie Bluemel in the final two minutes of regulation to send a battling Washington side home with a loss for Easter Sunday.

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 Summit 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
OMBAC 36 @ Dallas Harlequins 25
Denver Barbarians 12 @ Olympic Club Blues 5
Old Puget Sound Beach 27 @ Belmont Shore 34
SF Golden Gate @ Gentlemen of Aspen  – Postponed due to Inclement Weather

RSL EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
Potomac Athletic Club 14 @ New York Athletic Club 15
Boston 0 @ Philadelphia-Whitemarsh 33
Kansas City Blues 7 @ Old Blue 32
Washington 7 @ Chicago 32