Life is Good

October 13, 2007 - Sportport

Life University jumped out to an early lead against a rusty Bomber black side and held on for a well deserved 21-8 victory on a perfect autumn night in St. Louis. Life played an outstanding first half, shutting out the Bombers and running in two tries. The Bombers returned the favor in the second half, shutting out Life, but managing only one try.

Life flyhalf Nolte Coetzee was impressive on the evening, booming kicks into the corner and managing the match and his backline. Life got first half tries from hooker Steve Petzel and center Peter Burt after sustained pressure through multiple phases. Coetzee added 11 points with 3 penalty kicks and a conversion. St. Louis could only manage a missed penalty kick from fullback Conail Boyd. Life led 21-0 at the break.

The Bombers played better in the second half, taking good care of the ball in the tackle and defending extremely well. Boyd put his side on the scoreboard with a penalty kick, and later made a long break that was finished off by 18 year-old center Nick Godfrey. But it was not enough as too many handling errors doomed the comeback. Life took home a well deserved 21-8 victory in a very fast-paced, entertaining match played at one of the nicest venues for rugby in the country.

The Sportport stadium pitch provides the perfect setting for any level rugby match. The Bombers wish to thank the hundreds of fans that turned up to cheer on the home team.

The Bombers got strong performances up front from prop Tim Basler and hooker Josh Witten and from flanker Zach Giljum. Flyhalf Justin Mastroianni performed well despite being temporarily sidelined with a cut to the head. Backs Tim Stolarski, Alan Kloss and TJ Ebner looked dangerous with ball in hand.

October 13, 2007 - Sportport - The Bomber Whites outscored a tired Hornets side 34-0 in the second half to bring home a 34-3 win in an important MRFU cup match. The Whites struggled in the first half with primary phase execution, but got it sorted out in the second half. The surplus of quality possession enabled the Whites to run in 5 tries from sustained pressure.

The Hornets played a solid first half but had only 3 points to show for it, a result of kicking away most of their possession. The Bombers misfired on many occasions, and struggled in primary phase play. The Hornets led 3-0 at the break.

The Bombers came out strong in the second half. The scrums and lineouts immediately improved and there was no stopping the Bomber forwards. Lock Matt Gleed scored the opening try of the day from a lineout drive. Props Brian Dix and Brendan McClarney each scored tries from powerful runs. Flyhalf Jim Morrison added a penalty kick to push the Bomber lead to 22-0.

Lock Ben Schwab crossed the line from short range to give his team a 29-0 lead. Then the large crowd was treated to the try of the evening as centers Eric Hinson and Nick Godfrey broke the line and fed the ball wide to wing Oscar Iglesias. Iglesias left a would-be Hornet tackler plastered to the ground as he blasted his way across the tryline for the final score of the night and a 34-3 Bomber win.

Prop Vinnie Wroughton and hooker Ben Virtue were strong up front. Flankers Jim Hoffmann and JP Shen and #8 Kyle Manley were very active in support and defense.

Halfback Kevin Tucker put in another outstanding performance, controlling his forwards and distributing the ball quickly when needed. Fullback Adam Gottemoeller was safe and steady fielding the multitude of kicks coming his way. Wings Marc Dethloff and Dan Schwartzmeyer beat their opposition on several occasions, and kept the ball alive on attack.