COASTAL POWERHOUSES FACEOFF IN 2005 CHAMPIONSHIP
Belmont Shore Seeks RSL Three-Peat; NYAC Advances after 4 OT Thriller
DALLAS (May 22, 2005) � In the eight seasons of RSL competition never has a number three won the RSL Championship match, and never has a team won the crown in three consecutive seasons. In two weeks, one of those feats will occur thanks to the tireless rugby played today by the New York AC and Belmont Shore.
The first semifinal match of the day took place in the Bronx, where two familiar New York sides met for the second time this RSL season. In Week 6, Old Blue came away with the 12-8 home victory thanks in large part to the accurate leg of flyhalf Rocky Matatumua who connected on four Blue Bull penalty goals. Today, the two clubs battled once again for the title of the best side in New York City in front of a divided and raucous crowd at Van Cortlandt Park.
From the opening kick, NYAC controlled the ball and quickly advanced into Old Blue territory. The elusive NYAC back line seemed to be well on their way in to the opening score when Old Blue inside center Ryan Rogers made a crushing open field tackle that jarred the ball loose. Rogers quickly recovered and advanced the ball 10 meters up field before dishing to a hard charging wing Curtis Cunz. In his first match as a starter for Old Blue, Cunz took the Rogers pass downfield, eluded two tackles before popping a quick pass to hustling fullback Matt Pritchard who took it the final 15 meters for the opening score. Able to withstand the early Old Blue score, NYAC responded with two penalty goals by inside center John Cronin to narrow the Old Blue advantage to 7-6 at 17 minutes.
The next 20 minutes featured smash mouth rugby that delighted the New York crowd. The hard play led to Old Blue�s Rogers taking a quick tap at the NYAC 5-meter line. The inside center drove to within inches of the try line but was met by a wall of NYAC defenders. Rogers quickly pivoted, absorbed the ruck, and sent the ball out to wing Pete Pereira who took it in for the score. Flyhalf Rocky Matatumua added the extras to give the home team the 14-6 half time advantage.
NYAC came out of the second half gate with a charge in their step. Led by an early 30 meter try run from elusive flyhalf Aidan Mara and a penalty goal from Cronin, NYAC claimed their first lead of the match (16-14) at the 65th minute. Sensing fleeting momentum, Old Blue�s backline settled into fundamental play that enabled them to keep possession deep into NYAC territory for the next 10 minutes. While Old Blue did not come away with a try, the accurate boot of Matatumua reclaimed the lead with three penalty goals to make it 23-16 with five minutes remaining in regulation time.
As the remaining minutes turned into seconds, NYAC advanced the ball deep into Old Blue territory. From 15 meters out, NYAC wing Mike Lugano received the ball on the far side and took advantage of an overload to skirt in to the corner of the try zone before being hit. The NYAC season now rested on the foot of Cronin. Up for the task, Cronin deftly bent a tough angled kick from the far side to secure the 23-23-regulation tie.
The RSL format for overtime involves 20 minutes of overtime (two 10 minute periods) after regulation, after which sudden death play commences with 10-minute periods. In the first overtime, neither side advanced into attacking position and each side failed to connect on centered penalty goals. Three minutes into the second frame NYAC flanker Lou Ferrari, starting for Eagle Andy Ryland, barreled his way in from 10 meters to give NYAC the 30-23 lead. Needing to score at least seven points in the next seven minutes, Old Blue countered with an attack off of a scrum-down at the NYAC 10-meter line. Ryan Rogers eventually received the ball, eluded three tackles and juked his way into the center of the try zone to setup a chip shot for Matatumua.
The regulation overtime period ended in a tie, and both teams entered the sudden death overtime seeking a quick score to punch their championship ticket. Forward dominated play in the center of the pitch kept all scoring at bay for the first 10 minutes of overtime. The fourth period, and 110th minute of rugby, determined the winning side. After Old Blue was whistled for offsides, NYAC�s Cronin connected on a 25-meter penalty goal to give the Eastern Conference�s third seed their first trip to the RSL Championship match. The NYAC 33-30 four, overtime win did not include a reserve for the winning side.
Across the nation, in steamy Los Angeles, the defending champs Belmont Shore played host to the Eastern Conference�s second seeded Chicago Lions. Both sides were forced to substitute key players due to Eagle duty. Belmont played without prop Chris Osentowski and fullback Peter Galicz, and Chicago was forced to play without valuable center Scott Jones. Fortunately, for both sides, talented and tested teammates rose to the occasion and played extremely well.
The Lions gathered the early lead off of a Josh Cocking penalty goal at seven minutes. To win this match the young Lions needed to limit their mistakes while capitalizing on every Belmont miscue. Foiling Chicago�s plans, the talented Belmont back line came storming back to score 15 unanswered points stemming from try runs from speedy Alex Hammill and Gary Golding. Entering the half time break, Belmont held the 18-6 advantage.
Early in the second half, early scoring went to Belmont. Whaler scrumhalf Lee Peina opened the second half scoring with a nifty 20-meter jaunt that included three Lion missed tackles. Peina converted his own score to give the home side the 25-6 margin. Minutes later, Belmont�s wing Tony Fratangelo went in from 15 meters out off of quick passes from his back line mates to give Belmont their largest lead of the day (30-6) at 46 minutes.
Over the course of the match�s final 30 minutes, Chicago managed three try scores to Belmont�s one � two of Chicago�s scores came with a man advantage after Belmont 8-man Pomade Simona was sent off by Referee Graeme Bullen at the 60th minute.
When Bullen�s final whistle sounded, Belmont secured the 37-23 semifinal win and a chance to win the RSL Championship for a record third straight year. Belmont�s win can be attributed to good, hard tackling throughout the match and expected smooth play from their skilled back line. Chicago�s young and talented side impressed many throughout the league. Head Coach Marty Wiggins has a lot to build on for next season.
Two weeks rest prior to the June 4th Championship match will give both NYAC and Belmont Shore needed time to rest and repair for a highly anticipated bout. Both teams should be well prepared when they meet following the USA v Wales match in Hartford, CT.
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
OFFICIAL SEMIFINAL SCORING AND ROSTERS
