St. Louis Bombers Rugby Football Club

The St. Louis Bombers kicked off their fall campaign with an exciting 33-28 home victory over Palmer Chiropractic from Davenport, Iowa. St. Louis fielded a split squad on a hot and muggy day against a very athletic Palmer side that is gearing up for their looming cup matches in USA Rugby's CR#3.

Palmer jumped out to an early 8-0 lead with a try from center Danny Fitch and a penalty goal from flyhalf Mike Dzurgot. The Bombers answered with a try from hooker Andy Entwistle, who was in good support of wing TJ Ebner's long, slicing run and nifty assist. Bomber fullback Bryan Lay capped off a well manufactured try after storming runs from #8 Phil Reed and lock Hayden Mexted to put St. Louis in front 12-8 with John Ruzicka's conversion. Palmer's Dzurgot added another penalty goal just before half to close the gap to 12-11 at intermission.

Bomber center Brian Meyer carved through the midfield for a 40 meter try to open the second half scoring. Ruzicka's conversion extended the Bomber lead to 19-11. TJ Ebner got into the act again, dotting down in the corner, and Ruzicka's sideline conversion pushed St. Louis' lead to 26-11.

Palmer then picked up their game and turned the momentum immediately after St. Louis lock Mexted was binned. Palmer closed the gap to 26-23 on the back of tries from #8 Ryan Hummell and center Jeremy Blackwood. Palmer wing TJ Sheedy next outraced everyone to a bouncing ball to put Palmer in front 28-23 with time running out. St. Louis made one more march into Palmer's end, and were rewarded when 19 year old prop Canaan Craig bulled over from 5 meters out to score the match winner. Ruzicka's conversion made the final score 33-28 in a very entertaining early season match.

Palmer will host the Chicago Lions next Saturday in a cup match. The Bombers are off Labor day weekend, and then play September 10 & 11 in a four team cash tournament in the rural, central Missouri town of Marceline (the birthplace of Walt Disney). The town is building a rugby pitch just for the event, wanting to add a premier athletic event to their calendar. The four team field will be made up of the Bombers, KC Blues, Omaha GOATS and Kansas City RFC, with the winner bringing home $1500 and runner-up $1000.

The Bomber Whites fielded a host of new faces and came up just short in the day's second match. The match featured the debut of several youngsters in the Bomber jersey: lock Dan Aten (17), prop Patrick Brown (17) wing Bobby Ciapciak (16), and #8 Garrett Lambert (17). Lambert and Ciapciak both scored tries in their first matches for the club- with Ciapciak possibly making history as the youngest person ever to score for the Bombers. Wing Jim Crutchfield also added a try, with all three tries converted by fullback Eric Stecher.

Captain for the day was scrumhalf Jim Boggeman, now in his mid-fifties, who led by example- inspiring his younger teammates. Newcomer Chad Tsitovich from Olympic Club combined with Josh Rainey and Dave Domian to form a formidable backrow trio. Lock Julius Mingala and centers Josh Witten and David Samples also put in good performances.

Spotted spectating near the touchline were Earl Langhorst, Harley Meyer, Jonathan Grace, John Kyle, Tom Ebner, Bob Jones, Jeff and Mary Ann Hartwig and many more loyal Bomber supporters.

The club would like to thank Ryan Colombo of Colombos for hosting another wonderful aftermatch function.