White Side Stands at 4-2 in MRFU Cup Matches

Monday, October 16th, 2006

 
The White side earned two solid victories over the St. Louis Royals along with a tough loss to the St. Louis Hornets in recent D-2 action. The Whites currently feature a young and talented mix of players that are making rapid progress individually and as a team. They are gaining much needed seasoning as they experience the highs and lows that youthful teams often encounter.

The first cup match of the fall season saw the Whites dismantle the Royals 55-5 in mid-September. The Bomber front row of Gio Lafata, Josh Witten and Canaan Craig set the platform for a solid performance from the backs. Flyhalf Alan Kloss and center Eric Hinson were unstoppable in the midfield, leading their side to a lopsided victory. Flanker John McGuire and #8 Josh Rainey were strong in the lineouts and very active around the pitch.

The re-match against the Royals was a closer contest on October 7, 2006 as the Whites prevailed 25-5. Prop Canaan Craig and rookie wing Brad Beardon notched first half tries to give the Bombers a 10-7 lead at the break. Beardon nabbed his second try to open the second half scoring, followed by hooker Josh Witten's try. Bomber rookies John Erlich, Brendan McClarney, Joe Mertz and Jim Morrison contributed strong efforts in a very niggly affair.

The Whites fell to the Hornets 26-17 on October 14, 2006 in a very scrappy contest. The Whites showed their inexperience by giving away 20 points through mistakes to a very opportunistic and hungry Hornets side. The Hornets capitalized on Bomber errors and a strong wind at their backs to take a 14-0 halftime lead. The Whites turned around with the wind in their favor and flyhalf Pat Meier repeatedly pinned the Hornets back with his foot. Flanker Brendan McClarney powered over for the first Bomber try, converted by fullback Jim Morrison. Morrison added another Bomber try with a slicing run from midfield to draw the Bombers close. The Hornets pounced on a Bomber handling error to race 80 meters to extend their lead, but #8 Josh Rainey quickly answered with a try to draw within a try of the Hornets. But the Hornets added a nice try late to close out the Whites and come away with the upset victory.