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OMBAC Looses Div. II A-Side Match By A Score Of 45-5 - Wins B-Side
(Santa Barbara, CA) 11 January 2003 -- OMBAC traved to play the Santa Barbara Grunions (SBG) with a side that could have won that match. However, they were ill prepared to do so, primarily because they did not have the match fitness necessary to compete and win. The match began with OMBAC's pack providing scoring opportunities, but two early missed scoring opportunities because of poor execution and missed penalty kicks let SBG believe they could win.  The Grunions then scored twice to lead the match 12-0 at the half.  Their scores came on a series of missed tackles and the second on a pushover try. Grunion match fitness and OMBAC's lack there of, was more evident as the match wore on.  The causal observer would have noticed the OMBAC squad bent over tugging at shorts and the Grunion squad jogging and or sprinting around the pitch. Of note, was our desire to win which was evidenced by a score by Lock James Cross in the last 4 minutes of the match.  Our pack fought right to the end. That was the single most encouraging factor in OMBAC's play.  Cross was the player of the match. In the "B" side match, we had several new to the team and new rugby players in the lineup.  Our athleticism and their hard work led to a 30- 7 win. The match was never in doubt, as we came out determined to come away from the day with our pride intact. Coach Clark Bernales came on to lead the inspired play, Mike Evergin, Mika McLeod, Bob LaPorte, John Reader who came back on in the second half (he played the full 1st match) and particularly Eric Guzman (man of the match in his very first rugby game) were all standouts. OMBAC travels to San Fernando Valley next week.
Source: OMBACRugby.com
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