|
Saturday, 22 Jan., Cal State Long Beach
OMBAC 32, Belmont 28
Referee: Simon Page
OMBAC B-Side 53, Belmont B-Side 31
Referee: Mike Holmes
The fans in attendance got what they come to
expect from an OMBAC - Belmont Shore encounter. A hard fought,
back and fourth, close game, with exceptional talent. Belmont
got on the boards first with a 35 yard penalty conversion after
only 4 minutes of play. Belmont came right back and converted
another OMBAC penalty only 3 minutes later. After successive
phases Belmont's blind side flanker dotted down for 5 more at 24
minutes into the first half -- the conversion was missed,
putting the home team up 8-0. Then OMBAC went to work and put
halfback, Ghian Snyman, across the tryline from the base of 5 a
meter scrum at 28 minutes. OMBAC's flyhalf, Matt Alexander,
converted for 2 more. Belmont came right back and their flyhalf,
Grant Wells, scored a try at 34 minutes, which they failed to
convert. OMBAC was now down by 9 points with only 6 minutes
left in the half. However, it only took 2 minutes to set up
their large rambling hooker, Jason Wood, who dove in for the
score, which Alexander again converted. The half ended with the
Belmont on top 16-14.
The second half scoring started with Alexander
converting a Belmont penalty into 3 points after only 4 minutes
of play, putting OMBAC on top 17-16. It was another 20 minutes
of back and forth action before Alexander converted another
penalty. Then Belmont mounted another successful attack, and
added 7 more points to their total, making it 23-20 in favor of
Belmont Shore. OMBAC's Snyman was able to make another
successful brake to score a try, which Alexander quickly
converted, bringing the score to 27-23 for OMBAC. Near full time
OMBAC got the ball out to their hard running wing, Mark Crovelli,
who scored in the corner -- the conversion attempt was missed --
putting OMBAC on top 32 to 23. However, Belmont was not finished
and scored another try into injury time but missed the
conversion, leaving OMBAC on top at the end 32-28.
Both teams have more talent arriving next month
and should compete in the top of the RSL Western Conference,
along with Aspen and Golden Gate. OMBAC's big young, US Navy
lock, Lars Herman, was exceptionally impressive for what little
experience he has. Also, Marty O'Rouke from Australia played
exceptionally well for OMBAC in the centers. But, it was OMBAC's halfback
Ghian Snyman that walked away with the MVP honors. OMBAC's
B-side defeated Belmont's B-side 53-31. Next week OMBAC's DIII
faces Eagle Rock and OMBAC's DI faces a very strong Back Bay
side coached by ex-OMBAC player, Scotty Bracken at the little Q.
Game times are DIII at 12:00 noon, DI B-sides at 1:30, and DI
A-sides at 3:00 PM. (OMBAC team photo will be taken at 1:30,
just prior to the DI B-side kickoff)
|
OMBAC
RUGBY