EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS DETERMINED, THE WEST AWAITS WEEK 7 TO ESTABLISH FINAL TWO SEEDS; Three Teams Battle for Final Two Western Conference Spots
DALLAS (April 24, 2005) � In week six, the four-playoff seeds in the East were secured � PAC, the Chicago Lions, New York AC and Old Blue will all be playing meaningful RSL matches in May. In the West, Belmont Shore remains undefeated and clinched the Western Conference title with another 5-point day, Denver secures their playoff seed by claiming a bonus loss point, while Old Puget Sound Beach and OMBAC also acquire five points and remain alive in the hunt for the playoffs along with San Francisco.
In the Eastern Conference, the Potomac Athletic Club played host to co-conference leaders � the Chicago Lions. PAC took an early 7-0 lead when outside center Josh Stallings scored off a tackle breaking 10-meter run at 7 minutes. With the aid of the gusting winds at their backs, Chicago used accurate territorial kicking to advance the ball deep into PAC�s end. The Lion forwards continually gained control after the long kicks and after several quick phases they shuttled the ball out to their quick back line mates. Chicago entered the second half with a 14-7 advantage off of tries from Chris Brankin and their captain, Scott Jones. In the second half, PAC played more of a possession game. PAC fullback Roberto Infante was able to turn Chicago penalties into nine points off of long penalty goals with the wind now at PAC�s back. Supporting Infante�s second-half scores were downhill try runs from PAC 8-man Ben Oakes and inside center Ivan Hardnett. With the four-point win, PAC now leads the Eastern Conference by two points entering their final regular season match against Old Blue.
The match of the day in the Western Conference had the Denver Barbarians hosting defending RSL champs Belmont Shore. Denver, playing in their last regular season match on the year, started the day in second place in the conference and sought to earn points from a Shore side that had scored a league-high 155 points entering the week. The Denver Barbarians delighted the home crowd by taking an early 21-3 into the half off of tactical and efficient rugby from all 15 athletes. Trailing 24-17 at the 78th minute, Belmont Shore flanker Dustin Snow capped off a long Belmont possession with a hard-nosed 10 meter try run stemming from a driving Belmont maul. With the match tied entering injury time, Belmont gained possession off of a 5-meter scrum. Belmont was able to quickly send the ball out to their back line where inside center John Pua charged a seam in the Barbo�s defense to go in for the game-winning try with only 10 seconds short of the full-time whistle. Denver was able to secure a Western Conference playoff seed by earning the bonus loss point. The Barbo�s will have an extra week to heal and prepare for their first playoff match because of their cancelled week 7 match against Aspen. Next week, Belmont travels to face a Dallas Harlequins team for a match without playoff implications for either side.
Continuing to recap the Western Conference matches, Old Puget Sound Beach (OPSB) played host to the San Francisco Golden Gates in a match consumed with playoff implications. Entering the day, OPSB trailed the Golden Gates by two points in the standings with the Beach needing a win to stay alive for a chance to play a meaningful May match. Down 13-0 at the half, OPSB�s inside center Taki Uluilakepa ran in the first of five second-half tries for the Beach. The strong pack play of the Gate�s, lead by US Eagle prop Mike MacDonald, executed extremely well in the second half winning all line outs and scrum downs. However, the quick back line of the Beach was too much for the Gate�s defense to endure as OPSB ran away with the 34-19 win. In San Francisco, host Olympic Club looked to play the role of spoilers to the aspiring playoff hopes of OMBAC. Thanks in part to two first half tries from wing David Burt, OMBAC went into the half with a comfortable 38-10 lead. OC rallied to score 26 points in the second frame behind try scores from hooker Kirk Khasigian, prop Josh Batista and fullback John Bucholz. However, the second half Olympic Club effort proved to be not enough as OMBAC�s defense clamped down in the waning moments to earn the visitors a 45-36 road victory. All eye�s will be on week seven�s critical Western Conference matches as a surging OPSB side travels down to the Little Q to play OMBAC and SF Golden Gate hosts cross-town rival Olympic Club.
Finally, over in the East, a Bronx battle for New York City bragging rights pitted host Old Blue against co-conference leader New York AC. The match was mostly played in between the 22�s as each side�s defense tightened to protect their try zone. Old Blue�s Rocky Matatumua secured the 12-8 Old Blue win by connecting on four, long penalty goals to give half of the divided crowd a reason to go home happy. Captain Chris Mayo scored the lone try of the match for second place NYAC. On a saturated Franklin Park pitch in Boston, the home club earned their first win of the RSL season with a 15 � 3 victory of the Kansas City Blues. Clinching the win for Boston was try runs from flyhalf Dan Christie and fullback Chris Williams. Both teams struggled to gain good footing and grip on the ball in the driving April rains as nearly three-dozen knock-ons were whistled on the afternoon. In D.C., Philadelphia-Whitemarsh made the two-hour drive down I-95 South to take on a Washington side that had won two straight. Philadelphia, lead by two tries from reserve wing Sal Raniello, and eight points from the foot of flyhalf Jason Forrest, earned four points with the 25-19 win. A late try by Washington hooker Matt Pickett claimed the bonus loss point for the D.C. side.
While all Eastern Conference playoff seeds are claimed, week seven performances from PAC, Old Blue, NYAC and Chicago will determine the conference champion as well as first round playoff match-ups. With a win next week against Old Blue, PAC will be crowned the regular season Eastern Conference champs. Old Blue has two more weeks to control their playoff position with a Week 2 make-up game against Boston planned for May 7.
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 EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
New York AC 8 @ Old Blue 12
Philadelphia-Whitemarsh 25 @ Washington RFC 19
Chicago Lions 19 @ Potomac AC 26
Kansas City 3 @ Boston RFC 15
RSL WESTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
Belmont Shore 31@ Denver Barbarians 24
OMBAC 45 @ Olympic Club Blues 36
SF Golden Gate 19 @ Old Puget Sound Beach 34
