St. Louis Bombers Rugby Football Club

The Bombers started their 2005 campaign in impressive fashion with a hard fought 19-3 victory over the Super League's Kansas City Blues. The I-70 rivals have been going at it for over forty years, and this match proved there is no love lost between the two storied clubs. The intense match, played on a perfect day for rugby, featured outstanding defense from both sides, four yellow cards and two tries, both to the Bombers. The telling statistics emerged from the primary phase possession, with the Bombers winning 100% of their own scrums and line-outs, while taking three tightheads and a half dozen Blues line-outs.

The first half displayed two well organized defenses and a strong commitment to tackling as neither side could find the try line. The edge in territory and possession favored the Bombers, who turned this into nine points. Bomber's fullback Alastair Aitchison slotted two penalty kicks to go along with flyhalf Rene Monette's drop goal. The Blues only points came from the foot of flyhalf Marno Mel as the first half ended 9-3 Bombers.

The second half opened with a patient and methodical attack on the Blue's try line by St. Louis. After ten minutes of fierce tackling and several Blue's infringements at the ruck, the Bombers were rewarded with a try by prop Scott "Bowling Ball" Lay to take the score to 14-3 Bombers after 50 minutes. Lay, along with lock Hayden Mexted, pounded the Kansas City defenders all day with a multitude of punishing runs. The Blues had many thumping runs of their own, with #8 Siva Tali and locks Chris Lawler and Derek Mannel doing most of the damage. Blues fullback Eric Masterson played a very smart game and seemed to never be out of position. However, the Bomber backline always looked more dangerous than Kansas City's. Center Conail Boyd and wing T.J. Ebner teamed up for the Bombers second try as Ebner's score in the corner brought the final tally to 19-3 Bombers.

Bomber coach Ron Laszewski was pleased with the performance. "That was an impressive match. Both teams can take home a lot of positives. The intensity was amazing; there were no letdowns from either side for 80 minutes. There were only 22 points scored out there and every point had to be earned the hard way."

In the day's second match, the Blues squeaked out a 17-15 victory over the Bomber white side. The Blues experience in the forwards was too much for the young Bomber pack, who struggled for possession. The Blues got two tries from their forwards and one from their inside center. The Bombers backline played brilliantly with the little ball they had. Flyhalf John Ruzicka repeatedly showcased his centers Russell Gall and Eric Hinson, and wings Leon Scott and rookie Jim Crutchfield, playing in his first match, look like stars of the future. Forwards Julius Mingala, Zach Giljum and Jim Hoffmann stood out in the tackle count. Ruzicka contributed 10 points and flanker Ryan Dean scored a try to account for the Bomber's points.