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OMBAC CRUSH UNICORNS 72-0; IMPROVES RECORD TO 4-4: 12 Tries Divided Evenly Amongst Backs and Forwards
(San Diego, CA) 1 March 2003 -- The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) rugby team put on an impressive offensive display earlier today at the Little Q, dotting down for 12 tries in a 72-0 rout of the Huntington Beach Unicorns. The defense wasn’t too bad either as the home team quickly extinguished the rare scoring chances that the Unicorns produced. The win improves OMBAC’s Southern California First Division record to 4-4, ahead of next week’s battle with second place Santa Monica. The scoring in this one started early as OMBAC went on attack from the opening kickoff. Number 8 Henry Schaaf took the opening kickoff and smashed into two Unicorn defenders before popping it up to his backrow mate, Conrad Hodgson. The United States Eagle flanker took it into Huntington Beach territory. Quick-rucked ball went out to the short side to winger Dave DiSorbo who found inside help from Schaafe. His last gasp pass was placed expertly in the hands of Rocky Matatumua and the flyhalf cruised in unmolested for the score. Fullback Alistair Steele’s conversion attempt was good and it was 7-0 before most of the crowd had found their seats. The OMBAC scrum, which provided the Unicorns fits throughout much of the match, forced a turnover at the five-minute mark. A 90° wheel on a Unicorn put-in gave OMBAC control and they wasted no time in converting the opportunity. A long cut out pass from center Ryan Mouritzen to the filling Steele created a small opening in the midfield defense. Steele’s speed got him through the gap and then with defenders all around, his nicely timed pass found wing Tim Omi in full flight and he easily covered the last ten meters for OMBAC’s second try. Two minutes later OMBAC was back near the Unicorn try line. Scrum ball at the five meter lined was driven ahead by Schaaf and company before scrumhalf Mark Easbey shoveled the ball wide. Quick hands by outside center Riaan Hamilton made easy work for DiSorbo to collect his first try of the game and after just seven minutes, it was OMBAC on top 17-0. Another barge ahead by Schaafe allowed Easbey to stroll in for OMBAC’s fourth try. In the grasp of two Unicorn tacklers, the powerful Schaaf was able to keep an arm free to dish to the onrushing Easbey. Coach Joe Leota stressed all week in training to play more as a team and OMBAC’s fifth try of the day was as good an example of a team try as you’ll find. After the OMBAC forwards provided the backline with more quality possession. Hamilton did another good job in creating space for DiSorbo. A good turn of pace by the winger put him in the clear and as the last of the Unicorn defenders came up to stop him, there were no fewer than five OMBAC players in support. Payne was the chosen one and his score and the conversion that followed made it 29-0 with 15 minutes left in the first half. Hooker Matt Wyatt, who had storming runs throughout the contest, scored a try after props John Tarpoff and Jason Wood exchanged passes from a lineout. Another wonderful team try closed out the first half as the backline did well to hang onto difficult passes and stay in bounds. That set up the forward charge by Wood who dotted down for OMBAC’s seventh try of the half and a commanding 41-0 halftime lead. The Unicorns played with more continuity in the second 40 and were also aided by a steady breeze at their backs but were unable to crack the stingy OMBAC defense. It took OMBAC awhile to score in the second half but once Wyatt dotted down for his second at the 10-minute mark, four more tries followed within 15 minutes. Schaaf hammered over for his second. DiSorbo got his second on a nice give and go down the wing with Mouritzen. Schaaf completed his hat trick with another battering run through the Unicorn defense and after setting up three ties, Mouritzen put his name in the scoring column with a close-in try. Steele made six of the conversion attempts on the day. More than enough in the 72-0 OMBAC win. “I was pleased in the fact that we played with the team aspect in mind,” said former New Zealand All Black and current OMBAC coach Joe Leota. “We also organized pretty well on defense for most of the game. We still have some work to do though if we expect to compete in the Super League. I thought our scrum was dominant for the most part but did take some breaks throughout the game. There are a few other things we need to improve on but overall, I was pretty pleased with the performance.” The first match of the day went along a similar course as the first side tussle as OMBAC rolled to a 68-0 victory. Erick Guzman, Derres Catalano and Stephen Neville had two tries apiece in the romp. Due to the heavy rains throughout the week, OMBAC’s Second Division matches at South Orange County were cancelled because of an unplayable field. Southern California Division One and Two play continues this Saturday at the Little Q. The day starts bright and early with a 10:00 a.m. kickoff as OMBAC’s Division Two first side takes on the North County Gurkhas. That match is followed by OMBAC’s Division Two seconds against the Gurkhas second XV. At 1:00 p.m., OMBAC’s Division One second side clashes with Santa Monica’s seconds. The feature match of the day starts at 3:00 as OMBAC and Santa Monica’s first XVs engage in what should be a good match up. The two teams played down to the wire earlier this season before Santa Monica escaped with a one point home victory. In two weeks time, the seventh season of the U.S. Rugby Super League gets underway. OMBAC hosts San Francisco’s Olympic Club at the Little Q at the usual 3:00 p.m. start. Admission to OMBAC matches is $5.00.
Source: OMBACRugby.com
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