St. Louis Bombers Rugby Football Club

The St. Louis Bombers soundly defeated the visiting Dallas Harlequins 36-0 on a wet and windy day at Sportport in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The Bomber forwards were dominant on the day, producing an abundance of possession that was wisely used by halfback Bryan Lay and crafty veteran flyhalf Rene Monette. The victory evens the Bomber's record to 3-3 in USA Rugby Super League play and keeps St. Louis in playoff contention with one week remaining in the regular season.

The match began at a frantic pace as both sides quickly learned that the toughest opponent would be the strong and gusty cross winds. Passing, kicking and lineout throws proved to be a challenge for both teams. St. Louis wing Chris Welch sprinted onto a Rene Monette chip kick, catching the kick in full stride to score the first try of the match at the 20 minute mark. Moments later, Welch notched his second try by carving his way through the Dallas defense from 40 meters away. Monette's conversion gave St. Louis a 12-0 lead. Halftime came with St. Louis knocking on the door, unable to penetrate a determined Dallas defense.

St. Louis decided to add some patience to their game in the second spell, and were rewarded as flyhalf Monette darted in after a methodical build-up of phases. The conversion had no chance into the wind and the Bombers led 17-0 in the 44th minute.

Dallas began showing signs of life, with hard-running center Brendan Templemeyer making several mini-breaks with flankers Tim McNeeley and Matt Craig supporting well. But the Bomber forward pack was simply too powerful on the afternoon, exemplified by #8 Hayden Mexted's try from a pushover scrum, pushing St. Louis out to a 22-0 lead after 55 minutes.

Dallas was desperately trying to get the ball into the hands of their speedster Michael Harvey, but an errant pass found it's way into the hands of Bomber fullback Conail Boyd. Boyd won the 50 meter sprint for the try, and Monette's difficult conversion gave St. Louis a 29-0 lead going into the final quarter.

St. Louis halfback Bryan Lay finished off more patient work from his pack to sneak in for a try with 10 minutes remaining. Monette's successful conversion into the crosswind resembled someone trying to putt a golf ball on a steep rooftop. Monette aimed about 20 meters outside the uprights and the wind did it's job to give the Bombers a 36-0 lead. Minutes later, referee Tim Luscombe's whistle signalled full time on a well deserved St. Louis victory.

This was the first ever appearance in St. Louis by the Dallas Harlequins, and the first ever victory by the Bombers over their long time WRFU rivals. The Bombers host the Rugby Super League's top team next Saturday, May 6 at Sportport when Los Angeles Belmont Shore comes to town in a match with big playoff implications. Kickoff is at 3pm for the Black side's regular season finale. The White side plays the Ramblers in the curtainraiser at 1pm.