AS THE PLAYOFFS NEAR TEAMS JOCKEY FOR CONFERENCE POSITIONING; Belmont Shore, Chicago, Old Blue and New York AC Remain Undefeated
DALLAS (April 11, 2005) � The fourth week of the RSL season provided fans nationwide with the most exciting action of the season as four of the eight weekend matches were determined in the final minutes of play.
The most anticipated Eastern Conference match of the week had the first place Chicago Lions traveling to New York City to battle fellow conference leaders the New York Athletic Club. A strong home crowd of more than 500 rallied behind NYAC as the entered the second half with a 17-12 advantage. The evenly played match dominated by strong forward play was determined in the final five minutes when Chicago�s leading scorer, Flyhalf Duncan Blowers, converted a penalty goal on a late New York infraction to tie the score at 22. The match ended in a deadlock, earning both sides two points and leaving the clubs tied atop the Eastern Conference standings with 16 points.
In other Eastern Conference action, Washington RFC earned their first win over visiting Kansas City Blues in front of a crowd of thousands during the featured match on the National Mall during the District�s 39th Annual Cherry Blossom Tournament. Led by the accurate foot of Wing Francois Viljoen, who accounted for 15 points (3/5 conversions and 3/4 penalty goals), Washington sent the large crowd home happy with a 40-35 win for their home team. Also on the Mall, the Potomac Athletic Club (PAC) thumped visiting Boston RFC 30-7. Four tries and the home win for PAC earned them five points for a total of 15 on the season, which helps them keep pace with conference leaders Chicago and NYAC. The fourth match of the afternoon took place in New York as the host Old Blues defeated a sinking Philadelphia-Whitemarsh 23-14. The win for the Old Blues gave them 14 points in the standings with a game in hand as their match last week versus Boston was postponed due to inclement weather.
In the battle for the Western Conference, Belmont Shore traveled up the California coast to play a talented San Francisco Golden Gate side that was carrying momentum after an impressive Week 3 road win versus Denver. Lead by a driving second half try from forward Mike MacDonald, the Gate�s huge front row controlled a majority of the scrummages giving them a 22-18 lead entering the final three minutes of regulation time. As the final minutes ticked away, Belmont�s wings moved the ball into the Gate�s 22. In the 78th minute, a series of short-field phases ended with a 10m try run from speedy Belmont wing Tony Fratangelo. The successful conversion from the foot of Lee Peina gave visiting Belmont their fourth victory of the season, 25-22.
Earlier this week, after three disappointing final minute losses to open the season, Dallas Harlequin�s head coach Mark McCloy announced his surprising resignation following nearly nine seasons as the Quin�s coach. Seemingly undaunted by McCloy�s absence the Dallas players defeated visiting Olympic Club 39-25. The Quin�s earned their first win of the season on the back of an inspired performance from Flyhalf Vaughn Crowe�s four try afternoon. The excitement in the Western Conference continued as host Denver jumped to an impressive 20-0 half-time lead over a skilled OMBAC side. As both teams fought for second place in the conference, OMBAC came storming back and scored three, second-half tries to close the deficit. However, a late Denver push and converted penalty goal solidified the 23-17 win and sole possession of second place in the West for the host Barbarians. In Colorado, after a first half dominated by defensive play, the Gentlemen of Aspen earned their first win of the season over visiting Old Puget Sound Beach, 24-20.
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.
PAC squares off against Boston on the National Mall in Washington DC.
(Photo courtesy of PAC Rugby)
OFFICIAL RSL WEEK FOUR RESULTS
RSL EASTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
Kansas City Blues 35 @ Washington RFC 40
Chicago Lions 22 @ New York Athletic Club 22
Boston RFC 7 @ Potomac Athletic Club 30
Philly-Whitemarsh 14 @ Old Blue 23
RSL WESTERN CONFERENCE RESULTS
Olympic Club Blues 25 @ Dallas Harlequins 39
Belmont Shore 25 @ SF Golden Gate 22
Old Puget Sound Beach 20 @ Gentlemen of Aspen 24
OMBAC 17 @ Denver Barbarians 23
