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OMBAC KEEP UNBEATEN STREAK ALIVE: Defeat the Dallas Harlequins 37-16
(Dallas, TX) 12 April 2003 -- The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) rugby team remained undefeated after a convincing 37-16 victory over the Dallas Harlequins at Glencoe Park on Saturday. Man of the match, Dan Payne, led the OMBAC attack with two tries while Alistair Steele kicked over 12 points. The victory improves OMBAC’s Super League record to 5-0 while the ‘Quins slip to 3-2. Payne, whose brother Seth is the starting nose-tackle for the NFL’s Houston Texans, started things out for OMBAC just two minutes into the match. Steele’s opening kickoff was driven high and deep in the corner allowing the pursuing OMBAC cover defense to get there in numbers. Although Dallas was able to control it initially, the ball soon came back the visitor’s way and Payne drove straight through the Dallas defense for the try. Steele added his first conversion of the day to give OMBAC the 7-0 lead. Dallas kept it close with a penalty kick at the 12-minute mark to shave the lead to 7-3. The home team took the lead a few minutes later as #8 Brett Pederson finished off a multi-phase Dallas possession to give the ‘Quins the 8-7 lead. Dallas’ only lead of the match was to be short-lived however, as flashy center Siaa Taveuveu showed off his guile and pace in a 40-meter run to the line to put OMBAC back on top. Steele put the conversion through to widen the lead to six. A long Steele drop kick made it 17-8 and then just before the halftime whistle, OMBAC prop, Chris Conklin, powered his way over from five meters to give the Blue and Whites a healthy 24-8 halftime cushion. The Harlequins came out strong at the start of the second half, controlling play and putting pressure on the OMBAC line. Their efforts were rewarded with a score in the corner to make the score 24-13. Dallas resumed their march into OMBAC territory and left with another three points to narrow the gap to 24-16. Both teams had their chances over the next five minutes but neither could finish. Steele added another penalty to give OMBAC a bit of clearance but there was still plenty of time left to play. The OMBAC forwards went back to work and pressured deep into the ‘Quins side of the paddock. After several runs at the line, hooker Matt Wyatt was finally able to bash it over for OMBAC’s all-important fourth try of the match. In addition to assuring OMBAC a bonus point, the try brought the score to 32-16 in favor of the San Diegans. Dallas threw everything at OMBAC over the last ten minutes of play but the defense held firm. It was from one such stop that OMBAC scored its last try of the match. Quickly recycled possession went wide to flyer, Dave DiSorbo. He chewed up territory on the outside before that man Payne came up in support to dot down his second of the match and OMBAC’s fifth of the day. Steele’s kick was wide but at that point it didn’t matter as OMBAC won 37-16. “This was a good win for us,” said OMBAC Assistant Coach, Bing Dawson. “Dallas is a very good team and anytime you leave here with a win it’s a positive thing. We know we still have work to do and won’t look beyond our next match but this was a good performance.” OMBAC is off next week before taking to the road once again for a Saturday, April 26 match against the New York Athletic Club. OMBAC closes out the regular season with a home match against Boston on Saturday, May 3 at the Little Q. Should OMBAC finish the regular season in one of the top two spots in the Blue Division, which looks a certainty at this point, they will host a Super League quarterfinal match at the Little Q on Saturday, May 17.
Source: OMBACRugby.com
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