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CRAVELLI Leads OMBAC To League Opening Win - Scores two tries in OMBAC debut
(San Diego, CA) 10 January  -- The OMBAC rugby team started its 2004 Southern California Division One campaign off on the right foot today with a thrilling 24-16 victory over the Santa Monica Dolphins under sunny skies at the Little Q. It was a tightly contested match throughout but two second half tries by OMBAC rookie Mark Cravelli propelled the home side to victory. A good opening day crowd saw OMBAC flyhalf Matt Alexander open the scoring by converting an easy penalty attempt just five minutes into the match. His opposite, John Rude, connected with a penalty of his own at the 10-minute mark to tie the game at three-all. Both sides were moving the ball well; OMBAC through their pacey backline while the Dolphins relied on their big backline to punch holes through the OMBAC defense. But the rustiness of early season play was evident as both sides had trouble finishing off their opportunities. Santa Monica broke the deadlock midway through the first half as an ill-advised pop kick by OMBAC fullback Stephen Neville was nabbed out of the air by Santa Monica wing Brett Long and he had 30-meters of clear sailing ahead of him for the game's first try and in the process put his side up 8-3. OMBAC had a chance to retake the lead but three penalty attempts by Alexander failed to find their target and Santa Monica went into the halftime break with the 8-3 lead. OMBAC came out for the second half wanting to run and that's exactly what they did. A long clearing kick by Rude was gathered in by Neville near the OMBAC tryline. He busted it up right through the heart of the Dolphin defense before finding Derek Dahlen in support. The veteran carried it on another 20 meters before dishing off to OMBAC skipper, Eric Stewart. Stewart did well in drawing the last defender before putting Cravelli in the clear. Alexander regained his form in adding the extras as OMBAC regained the lead 10-8. After a second Rude penalty catapulted Santa Monica back on top 11-10, OMBAC took the lead for good at the 50-minute mark. It started from an OMBAC lineout in Santa Monica territory. Stagnant play on the open side saw the ball come back to the short side where the former Colorado State standout, Cravelli, was waiting. He took the pass from scrumhalf Ghian Snyman near the sideline about 30 meters out from the Dolphin line and immediately brought the play in field to avoid being bundled into touch. Cravelli ran straight and true towards the posts brushing aside would-be tacklers. Five meters from glory he was grabbed by two opposition defenders but spun out of the tackle and dotted down just to the left of the posts. Alexander added on the two and OMBAC had a bit of breathing room at 17-11. The score would remain that way for the next 20 minutes as neither team could add to their totals. It wasn't until the 70-minute mark that the scoreboard turned over and it was Santa Monica that did the cranking. After some repeated attacks near the OMBAC line, the Dolphins finally got over the line as flanker Mark Taylor plowed over from short distance. Rude's difficult conversion attempt fell short and wide as all in attendance got ready for a frantic final 10 minutes with OMBAC clinging to an insecure 17-16 lead. Most of that time was played in the Santa Monica half but it wasn't until the 78th minute that OMBAC iced the game. A thundering hit by reserve center Ryan Mouritzen on a Santa Monica ball carrier knocked the ball back into the Santa Monica try zone. OMBAC center Chris Frara won the dash to the touch down and a collective sigh of relief went through the Little Q as OMBAC got the breathing room they were looking for. The all important conversion kick by Alexander made it an eight-point lead with just a couple of minutes left. The Dolphins rallied for one last charge at the OMBAC line and despite the fact that OMBAC prop Chris Conklin was sin-binned as time wound down, Santa Monica couldn't find the line again as the home team hung on for the 24-16 win. "Any win is good," said OMBAC coach Bing Dawson. "For the first match of the year, we saw a lot of positives out there and a number of players put their hand up for Super League consideration. The early start in training also proved beneficial. Sure, there were some mistakes but overall we were pretty happy with the performance." The day started out well for OMBAC as the Division One second side took it to their Santa Monica counterparts 86-3. Veteran back Jon Hinkin led the onslaught with three tries. OMBAC's Division Two side played to a 21-21 tie at the Oxy Olde Boys in their league opener. Next Saturday, OMBAC's Division One team takes to the road against archrival Belmont Shore. OMBAC's Division Two team plays at home at the Little Q against San Fernando. The first side starts the day's play at 1:00 p.m. followed with the second side match at 3:00 p.m. Admission at the Little Q is $5.
Source: USARUGBYSUPERLEAGUE.com
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