OLD BLUE WINS EASTERN CONFERENCE TITLE;  PLAYOFF MATCHES DETERMINED

DALLAS (May 8, 2005) � Mother Nature forced Old Blue and Boston RFC to delay their Week 3 match until Week 8 � the RSL�s reserved bye week before the playoffs. The intended off week match drew the league�s full attention as Eastern Conference playoff seeds, and Western Conference opponents, lay in the balance.

At Wellesley College west of Boston host Boston RFC sought to end their season on a high note and spoil the regular season Eastern Conference title for Old Blue. The visitors entered the game needing a five-point win to claim the Eastern Conference crown and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, leading to the nearby East Hartford, Connecticut title match on June 4.

USA Rugby and the Rugby Super League (RSL) confrimed that the RSL Championship will be played after the USA vs. Wales match on Saturday, June 4 at the University of Connecticut�s Rentschler�s Field.

Focused on the goal of a home playoff schedule, Old Blue jumped to an early lead with quick advances by their experienced backline and rolling mauls from both their forwards. The Blue Bull�s scrumhalf Jesse Coulson opened the scoring with a 25-meter dash through a narrow seam in the Boston backline. Flyhalf Rocky Matatumua continued his season-long stretch of accurate kicking with the conversion.

 At 24 minutes, Old Blue hooker Paul Silverman drove in a muddy Old Blue maul to extend the visitor�s lead to 12-0 entering the second half. Wth their eyes set on two more tries to capture the conference title, Old Blue�s starting fifteen entered the second half of their last regular season game with disciplined and tactical rugby in mind. Three minutes into the second half Old Blue flyhalf Rocky Matatumua capitalized on a Boston hands-in penalty by connecting on a 30-meter penalty goal to increase the Old Blue lead to 15. Nearly five minutes later, Old Blue�s pack drove in after a long series of weak side phases to put the Blue Bull�s in for their third try of the day.

To earn their bonus try point, Old Blue�s 8-man Ben Sadgrove scored the team�s fourth try from a 10 meter run off of a shoelace catch from a falling Matatumua. The timely score gave the now conference champs the 29-0 lead. Sadgrove scored his second try of the match minutes later off of a 5-meter scrum to seal the win and the conference crown. On the second Sadgrove score Matatumua converted his third try of the day to give Old Blue the deciding margin - 36-0.

Next week is shaping up to be a very competitive and skilled weekend of playoff rugby. In the Bronx, Old Blue (6-1) hosts the West�s fourth-seed OMBAC (4-3). OMBAC, rested after the bye week, enters the match fresh from two strong victories where they scored an average of 47 points. Old Blue looks to hold off the OMBAC attack with the league�s best total points allowed defense (83). In Chicago, the Lions (5-1-1), the leading scorers in the East, face a strong San Francisco Golden Gate (5-2) side seeking their second win in a row.

The quarterfinals also feature undefeated Belmont Shore (7-0), the league�s defending champion and top Western Conference seed, hosting a defensively focused Potomac Athletic Club (5-2).  In the Mile High City, the Denver Barbarians (5-2) enter the playoffs fresh from a two-week rest. The Barbos welcome a visiting New York AC (5-1-1) side that has allowed only 14 points per match this season.  

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 Quarterfinal Matches � May 14, 2005
OMBAC @ Old Blue 
SF Golden Gate @ Chicago
PAC @ Belmont Shore
NYAC @ Denver Barbarians