Bombers Get a Lot Out of Life

Saturday, March 05, 2005

 
The St. Louis Bombers journeyed to Atlanta, GA for the inaugural Life University "Pass the Hat for Pat" Tournament which featured outstanding competition between eight top Super League and Division 1 clubs. The tournament served as a fundraiser for the injured Aspen scrumhalf Pat Culley, who was paralyzed in a match last year and is undergoing rehabilitation in Atlanta.

The Bombers answered the challenge both on and off the pitch. Playing in Pool B with Aspen, Washington D.C. and Charlotte, only a late Washington rally to force a 14-14 draw kept the Bombers from reaching the finals. A much bigger achievement occurred at the after-match, where the Bombers placed $230 into the collection hat and equaled PAC for top honors. In addition, the Bombers led the way at the auction by contributing over $600. Life was also very thankful for the Calloway, Amstel Light logoed golf bag donated to the auction by Bomber Club President Brian Dix.

St. Louis downed Charlotte 10-7 in the tournament's opening match. St. Louis dominated possession and territory as Charlotte rarely ventured inside the Bomber's 22 meter line. The Bomber's constant assault deep inside Charlotte's end resulted in an Alastair Aitchison penalty kick and a Hayden Mexted try. Charlotte's points came from a well taken quick throw-in from their own half by fullback Jeff Ruether and finished by flanker Paul Glatte for their only try.

The Gentlemen of Aspen nipped the Bombers 13-10 in the second pool match at the final whistle with a penalty kick. Hooker Karl Sitane scored Aspen's only try. Lock Hayden Mexted replied with another try for St. Louis. The Bombers could consider themselves tough losers, as two tries were disallowed by the referee in the second half. But in the end, Aspen made the plays when it counted to secure the victory.

St. Louis raced out to a 14-0 lead over Washington in the third pool match to decide the pool winner. Bomber wing T.J. Ebner and prop Scott "Bowling Ball" Lay both scored converted tries in the first half. Washington answered with two long range tries from turnover ball, the first by center Tui Osbourne and the last by fullback Francois Viljoen. The final score of 14-14 made Washington pool winners on bonus points, with St. Louis finishing second, Charlotte third and Aspen fourth.

Bomber coach Ron Laszewski was pleased with the effort and the event. "The level of play was outstanding, considering it's the first week of March. Every team in our pool should be proud of their efforts, especially on the defensive side of the ball. And Life should be commended for organizing and hosting a great event with an even greater cause." The Bomber defense was outstanding all day, led by fearless tackling from Alex McPheeters, J.P. Shen, Phil Reed, Hayden Mexted and Brian Meyer.

And talk about passing the test early, the Bombers have played the KC Blues, Charlotte, Aspen and Washington in the space of eight days. They have only dropped one of these matches, losing to Aspen on the final play of the match. The test doesn't get any easier with the Chicago Lions coming to town Saturday, March, 12th.

The Bomber white side also traveled to Georgia to play two matches. In their opener versus Charlotte, the white side lost 8-7 in a close, tough match. The highlights for St. Louis were the scrummaging of Gio Lafata and Andy Adank, the loose play of Zach Giljum, Julius Mingala and Dave Domian, and the tough midfield presence of Tom Nardin and Jim Hoffmann. The points came from Justin "Minnow" Gillenwater with a try and a Zach Giljum kick.

In the second white side match, a gigantic Life University side and simply wore down the Bombers with their size, losing 29-3. Zach Giljum's penalty goal provided the Bomber's only points. Wing Jim Crutchfield made several long breaks to provide some excitement in this one-sided affair.

The Club would like to thank alum Harley Meyer for his assistance and support on the weekend. T.J. Ebner and Justin "Minnow" Gillenwater stepped up to play in all five matches after the squad became thin due to injury.