St. Louis Bombers Rugby Football Club

September 10 & 11, 2005, Marceline, MO - The St. Louis Bombers claimed the inaugural "Show-Me Classic" rugby tournament held in Walt Disney's birthplace with a 50-7 victory over Kansas City RFC in the final. St. Louis reached the finals by defeating the Omaha GOATS 52-12 on Saturday, while KCRFC upset cross-town rivals KC Blues 18-14 the other semifinal. The Bombers claimed the first place prize of $1500 for their efforts. Kansas City took home $1000 for finishing runner-up. The KC Blues defeated Omaha 43-28 in Sunday's third place match.

Final: Bombers 50 KCRFC 7

St. Louis lock Hayden Mexted saved his biggest performance for the biggest match. Mexted scored all of his team's first half points. His personal haul of 24 points came from 3 tries, 3 conversions and a drop goal from broken play. Kansas City kept the match scoreless for the first 20 minutes, thanks to some excellent lineout work and good tackling. But as the match wore on, the fast-paced Bomber attack and powerful scrum sapped the life from Kansas City's legs. Halftime score: Bombers 24 KCRFC 0

The second half began the way the first half ended: another line break by St. Louis and another score. Flyhalf Bryan Lay darted in from 30 meters and Mexted's conversion pushed the Bombers in front 31-0. A charged down kick landed in St. Louis flanker Alex McPheeter's hands, who then drew the fullback and put speedy wing TJ Ebner away for a 36-0 lead. 17 year-old #8 Garrett Lambert launched himself from the back of a driving maul and outpaced the defense to score between the sticks to push St. Louis to 43-0 with Andy Entwistle's conversion. Center Russell Gall finished off the Bomber scoring after a build-up of phases to put St. Louis at the half-century mark with Brian Meyer's conversion.

Kansas City showed some pride by finishing strong. #8 Mike Haase was stuffed near the try line by a vicious Garrett Lambert tackle, but the KC backline used the recycled ball nicely to put fullback Alan Higbee in for a try, converted by flyhalf Jimmy Rogue. Referee Callum Pender's whistle sounded to end a very entertaining afternoon of rugby on a hot September day in rural central Missouri.

Semifinal: Bombers 52 GOATS 12

St. Louis raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead on a hot, windy day. Center Brian Meyer scored the first two tries for the Bombers, and continued on to have a dominating weekend. Prop Canaan Craig's try and flyhalf Rene Monette's 3 conversion accounted for the first half points.

Fullback Justin Gillenwater finished off one of his many long runs on the day to advance St. Louis to 28-0. Rene Monette scored after several phases to make the score 33-0. Gillenwater added his second just before Meyer scored his third to push the Bomber lead to 47-0. Bomber wing TJ Ebner sliced through the defense to bring the score to 52-0. Omaha kept playing hard and were rewarded with tries from flanker Jason Starkey and wing Pete Swingle. Flyhalf Galen Helton's conversion brought the final to 52-12.

Lock Josh Rainey played an outstanding match, along with #8/hooker Andy Entwistle, and the Giljum brothers Scott and Zach.

Forwards: Gio Lafata, Bill Williams, Canaan Craig, Andy Adank, John McBride, Pat Hess, Tim Chambliss, Corey Gunnell, Josh Rainey, Hayden Mexted, Jim Hoffmann, Andy Entwistle, Garrett Lambert, Shaun Tegethoff, Dave Domian, Alex McPheeters, Zach Giljum.

Backs: Scott Giljum, Bryan Lay, Rene Monette, Russell Gall, Eric Hinson, David Samples, Brian Meyer, TJ Ebner, Jim Crutchfield, Steve Bosse, Justin Gillenwater.

The city of Marceline proved to be tremendous hosts- complete with giant-sized check replicas presented to the teams at the conclusion of Sunday's matches. Marceline provided a wonderful setting and a Saturday night gathering that brought together the players, coaches, administrators and their families with the friendly and gracious local residents.