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OMBAC Rugby Rebounds After Last Weeks Heartbreaker
(Newport Beach, CA) 8 February 2003 -- The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) rugby team rebounded from last week’s heartbreaking one point loss to Santa Monica by defeating the Back Bay Rugby Club 26-13. Played under sunny skies at Back Bay’s picturesque home pitch near the Balboa Pier, both teams played attractive rugby for the entire 80 minutes producing some entertaining play. The win improved OMBAC’s Southern California First Division record to 3-2 and provides a bit of confidence as they get set to host division leaders Belmont Shore on Saturday. OMBAC flexed its muscle in the early moments of the contest as a forward drive over the line resulted in the game’s first try. The conversion attempt was off the mark but just minutes later the visitors did tack on another three points on a successful Rocky Matatumua penalty kick. New OMBAC #8 Henry Schaff got his name on the scorer’s sheet in his first match in the blue and white. Picking up from the base of the scrum, Schaff had a virtually unobstructed run to the line to increase OMBAC’s lead to 13-0. OMBAC’s kicking woes continued, however, as the conversion attempt was wide of the mark. At the 30-minute mark, Back Bay was finally able to make a dent in the scoreboard, collecting three points from an OMBAC penalty. The Back Bay backline defense, unpenetrable throughout most of the first half, finally gave way just before halftime as center Jarrod Faul found the try zone. Matatumua was true on the conversion as the teams changed ends with OMBAC out in front 20-3. Back Bay, coached this year by former OMBAC front-rower Scott Bracken, made a game of it in the second half by scoring two tries, while all OMBAC could muster was a pair of penalty kicks. Second half siestas have plagued OMBAC this season but on this occasion at least; it wasn’t enough to prevent OMBAC from claiming its third win of the season. “We’re heading in the right direction,” said OMBAC coach Joe Leota. “We patched some good phases of play together. Henry had a good game in his debut. I’m still a bit concerned by our second half lapses but hopefully we can eliminate those as the season progresses.” The second side match followed a similar course as that of the firsts. OMBAC raced out to a 20-6 lead after the first forty on tries by Derres Catalano, Tim Omi and Stephen Neville. Neville tacked on five extra points converting one of the tries and slotting a penalty. The seconds also slogged through a sluggish second half performance allowing Back Bay to climb back in the match. An OMBAC penalty was countered by two successful penalties and a converted try to narrow the margin to 23-19. But Back Bay could get no closer and the victory went to OMBAC. In Sunday’s Southern California Division Two action, the North County Gurkhas had too much firepower for OMBAC, winning easily 35-12. OMBAC’s seconds saved the day however as they shutout the Gurkhas 27-0. OMBAC resumes Southern California Division One play on Saturday as they take on Belmont Shore. It’s a big day for OMBAC as it’s not only the home opener at the Little Q, it’s Family Day and there’ll also be a number of former OMBAC players in attendance.  They’ll be there to cheer on OMBAC against its fiercest rival but also to share in the 15th anniversary celebration of its first National Championship by saluting members of OMBAC’s all-conquering 1988 team. The action on Saturday starts early as OMBAC’s Division Two second side kicks off at 10:00 a.m. against South Orange County’s seconds. The first teams will follow at 11:30. At 1:00 p.m., OMBAC’s Division One seconds look to set the tone for the afternoon matches as they line up across from Belmont Shore’s seconds. The main attraction of the day kicks off at 3:00 p.m. Family Day festivities at the Little Q include a jump tent, snow-cone machine and a clown.
Source: OMBACRugby.com
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