OMBAC
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| OMBAC III Sunk By Battleship In Opener (Fail To Hold 22-7 Lead, Fall 47-34) |
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12 May 2001 - Rockford, IL - Thirty-four unanswered second half points spelled doom for OMBAC today as an experienced Battleship ended OMBAC's playoff dreams 47-34 in Round One of USA Rugby's Division Three Elite Eight. In Sunday's consolation game, OMBAC was on the losing end again 31-20. For 35 minutes against Battleship, OMBAC gave their more experienced opposition everything they could handle, and more. The game started out with a bit of aerial ping pong as both teams tried to improve field position. OMBAC notched the first points of the match on a 13th minute penalty kick by Justin Constantine. Scrumhalf Matt Nockels took a quick tap penalty and crafted his way through Battleship defenders for the game's first Yahtzee to increase OMBAC's lead to 8-0. Weak tackling by OMBAC led to Battleship's first try of the match midway through the first half. OMBAC rebounded quickly and third phase possession started near the midfield area was finished off once again by Nockles. Following a blistering run by wing Steve Masters on the ensuing kickoff, the forwards laid the groundwork for Sam Knight to dot down OMBAC's third try of the half and what looked like a comfortable 22-7 lead. But the lead was squandered in the last five minutes of the half as lineout errors and missed opportunities allowed Battleship to knock over two more penalties before the half came to a close. The first 30-35 minutes of the second half was all one-way traffic as the veteran Battleship forward pack took it to their San Diego counterparts. The set pieces were a troubling aspect throughout the match as OMBAC lost 20 of 23 lineouts on the afternoon and on the scrums they did win, it was poor ball for the backs. Five second half tries without reply gave Battleship a 47-22 lead but to OMBAC's credit, the fight never left them as they clawed back for a couple of consolation tries to make the final score a respectable 47-34. "I guess age and skill does takes precedence over youth and unskilled," said OMBAC coach Lin Walton after the match. "We certainly missed the five regulars who were either unavailable or off with the other team (to Ft. Worth). It especially showed up front where we had all kinds of trouble getting possession. But despite the troubles, I am so proud of these guys for never letting up and finishing strong. That was OMBAC spirit at the end of this match." OMBAC vs. Chico All the OMBAC personnel that didn't see action on Saturday received playing time in Sunday's consolation game against Chico. That included OMBAC coaches Lin Walton and Ray Schwartz. It was obvious that the previous day's loss was detrimental to OMBAC's focus for the Chico match. The game was closely contested early on but OMBAC soon lost the grasp and Chico ended up winning the match 31-20. "We were a bit banged up and had guys playing out of position but the loss of focus is what really cost us the game today," said Walton. "I'm still proud of this team for the effort they put forth throughout the season. Looking back, we probably had too long of a gap in between matches at the end of the year and playing in the Santa Barbara Tournament would have helped us here. But it's a young and inexperienced team that will benefit from making it this far." OMBAC Lineup vs. Battleship
-15-Conrad Buiterdacht OMBAC Lineup vs. Chico
-15-Conrad Buiterdacht |