Bombers Drop
Super League Opener

Saturday, March 18, 2006

 
March 18, 2006 - (San Diego, CA) OMBAC opened the 2006 Rugby Super League with a solid 55-21 victory over the visiting St. Louis Bombers on a cool, windy day in southern California. OMBAC (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club) looked to be in mid-season form as they controlled possession and gave St. Louis a long afternoon of tackling practice.

OMBAC used a stiff breeze at their backs in the first half and strong primary phase ball to camp inside the Bomber's half. Flanker Will Mosaati scored twice in the first ten minutes to put the San Diegans up 10-0, with fullback Dave Burt's successive conversion attempts clanging off the uprights. St. Louis responded with some nifty handling to get on the scoreboard with a TJ Ebner try from a center Brian Meyer assist to draw the score to 10-5.

Dave Burt kicked a penalty goal to extend OMBAC's lead to 13-5. Burt next scored out wide for OMBAC on an overload and his conversion pushed OMBAC out to 17-5. Mosaati's third try of the day from close range after a strong lineout drive from the OMBAC forwards put OMBAC up 20-8. OMBAC used the wind wisely and repeatedly put themselves near the St. Louis line. Wing Tim Omi finished off a succession of phases and his try in the corner put OMBAC up 25-5. The Bombers marched back into the wind to get a penalty kick from flyhalf Rene Monette and draw to 25-8. But just before half, OMBAC wing Jason Raven stiff-armed his way into the corner and dotted down to make the score 30-8 OMBAC at the half.

St. Louis would now get to enjoy the brisk wind at their backs for 40 minutes and played it into the corners to start the second spell. But a Chris Frara break was finished off from long range by fellow center Riaan Hamilton to give OMBAC a 35-8 lead five minutes into the half. St. Louis put themselves right back down inside OMBAC's half and were rewarded with much needed points. Monette's penalty goal was quickly followed by flanker Josh Witten's try from a long break by Bomber halfback Bryan Lay. Monette's conversion brought St. Louis to within 35-18 with 25 minutes to play and the wind still heavily in their favor.

But OMBAC responded quickly with a Chad Erskine try to lead 40-18. Bomber fullback Conail Boyd's long range drop goal brought St. Louis back to 40-21. OMBAC continued to keep their foot on the gas pedal and raced in three more unconverted tries in the last ten minutes- one each from Raven, Hamilton and reserve center Jeremy ReBell to close out a very convincing victory.