Whites Tie with Ramblers

Saturday, October 15, 2005

 
The Bomber White side match against the Ramblers ended in a 22-22 draw in a MRFU D-2 Cup Match. Both sides fought hard for 80 minutes and provided an afternoon of entertaining rugby on a beautiful, sunny day in Forest Park.

The Ramblers dodged an early bullet as Bomber flyhalf and captain John Ruzicka's penalty kick just missed. Rambler prop Stan Dondle took the ball up hard from a tap penalty and lock Colin Heath crashed over after two phases to put the Ramblers up 5-0 about 20 minutes into the match.

The Bombers quickly answered as their deep kickoff was misplayed, resulting in a lineout deep in the Ramblers end. The Bombers launched a drive across the the line and #8 Chad Tsitovich was rewarded with the try. Ruzicka converted from near the touchline to move the Bombers in front 7-5. The Ramblers regained the lead minutes later with a penalty kick from Jay Kreickmeier- 8-7.

The last ten minutes of the first half was all Bombers as young prop Canaan Craig crashed over from short range to put the Bombers back in front 14-8 with Ruzicka's conversion. Bomber wing David Samples hustled from midfield to chase a wipers kick deep into the corner, and was rewarded for his effort as the ball bounced his way for another Bomber try right at the halftime whistle. Halftime score: Bombers 19 Ramblers 8.

The second half showcased the Bomber's pressure defense, as it stifled every Rambler outside attack, limiting them to kick and chase and forward charges. Ruzicka tacked on another 3 points from a penalty kick to push the Bombers up 22-8. But the Ramblers kept plugging and took advantage of their chances on the few occasions they ventured inside the Bomber's 22 meter area. Rambler center Pat Byrne thumped over to cut the lead to 22-15 with Krieckmeir's conversion. Next, Heath grabbed his second try of the day on a pick-and-drive, and Kreickmeier's conversion leveled the score at 22-22.

The Bombers were very unfortunate in the last ten minutes, as a Ruzicka penalty kick was disallowed by the referee after both touch judges had raised their flags. Bomber wing Dan Scwartzmeyer twice dove for the corner for the match-winning try in the waning moments- and twice was denied. Final score: Bombers 22 Ramblers 22.

Bomber standouts on the day were center Josh Witten and the Bomber backrow: Garrett Lambert, Zach Giljum and Chad Tsitovich.

The Bombers hosted the Ramblers at Colombos on Manchester. Thanks again to Ryan and Greg Colombo for another excellent event. Spotted near the touchline were Bomber legends Vic Miller, John Kyle, Sterling Hayden, Terry Swap, Cliff Schlereth, Bob Jones, Mark Sturmoski (unofficial team photographer) and many more.