Bombers Blank KCRFC

Saturday, March 19, 2005

 
The St. Louis Bombers shut out Kansas City RFC 36-0 in a USA Competitive Region 2 cup match played on a cool and windy day in Kansas City. St. Louis dominated the primary phase all day in a match that featured hard running, excellent tackling and frequent whistles. Bomber wing T.J. Ebner collected a hat trick of tries and the Lay brothers; Scott and Brian combined for three more to pace St. Louis. The St. Louis victory keeps them unbeaten in conference play and in the hunt to host a playoff match in mid-April. The Kansas City loss sends them on the road for the playoffs.

Kansas City came out of the gate strong, but had nothing to show for it as fullback Allen Higbee was wide left on three penalty kicks in the early stages. St. Louis got their motor running with a try at fifteen minutes as scrumhalf Brian Lay bulled over from five meters after a build up of phases. Bomber wing T.J. Ebner then raced in a pair of tries out wide as center Brian Meyer's long passes were finding their mark. St. Louis took a 19-0 lead into the break.

The second spell saw Bomber prop Scott "Bowling Ball" Lay dot down after some punishing runs from teammates Phil Reed and Hayden Mexted to extend the lead to 26-0. The Bomber pack then took another tighthead from Kansas City's scrum, which resulted in another Brian Lay try to increase the St. Louis lead to 31-0. Ebner finished off the scoring by again racing around his opposite to notch his third try of the match and make the final score 36-0 Bombers.

Kansas City's captain Mike Haase stood out in a losing effort with excellent work in the lineouts and many forceful launches off the back of the scrum. City's lock Charlie Hirner was a hard man around the pitch all day and was awarded "Player of the Day" at the after match. Flanker Alex McPheeters received the honor for St. Louis. St. Louis flyhalf John Ruzicka directed traffic well and kept the match played in Kansas City's end with an educated foot.

The Bomber white side took the second match 24-12. Coach Ed Reed had his squad ready to play after a couple tough losses in the previous weeks. Rookie wing Jim Crutchfield scored two tries to lead the Bombers. Zach Giljum dominated the lineouts for St. Louis, taking all of his throws and half of theirs. Gio Lafata and Andy Adank set the tone in the scrums as the forwards set the platform for a solid team performance. Flyhalf Tom Nardin and Crutchfield scored first half tries that were both converted by fullback Eric Stecher. City responded with a breakaway try from center John Ross to cut the lead to 14-5 at the break.

Crutchfield finished off a Brian Harthill break to open the second half scoring and extend the Bomber lead to 19-5. Flanker Zach Giljum scored after a string of Bomber phases to push the score to 24-5. Kansas City flanker Ryan Braun crashed over for a try late in the match to bring the final score to 24-12 St. Louis. Bombers Julius Mingala, Dave Domian, Corey Gunnell, Tim Chambliss and Jim Hoffmann stood out in their tackling and support play.

Among the many supporters traveling to Kansas City were Tom Ebner, John Kyle and Harley Meyer.

Black Side:
Lay, S.
Hess
McBride (c) (Lafata)
Mexted (Giljum, Z.)
McGuire
McPheeters
Tegethoff (Reives)
Reed
Lay, B.
Ruzicka
Ebner
Gall
Meyer
Bosse (Harthill)
Gillenwater

White Side:
Lafata (Weissflung)
Chambliss
Adank
Gunnell
Mingala
Domian
Entwistle
Giljum, Z.
Wong (c)
Nardin
Moyer
Hoffmann
Bosse (Harthill)
Crutchfield
Stecher