|
3/15/08 @ Santa Monica
The Ides of March proved bad for OPSB as they suffered an 18-16 loss to Santa Monica in
the opening round of the 2008 RSL season. A strong, steady wind and playing 50 minutes with one man down were
major factors that lead to a low score and a loss for Beach. OPSB's Nolan Allen and Matt Schoener scored a
try a piece while Ryan Bishop slotted two penalties and a conversion.
Early in the game, Santa Monica's scrumhalf
David Hughes made a nifty grubber kick from inside OPSB's 22 line, for a chase between him and OPSB's flanker Chris
Stone. A jostle for the ball inside the try zone resulted ina penalty try and an unwarranted yellow card for Stone
in the 6th minute. Santa Monica's fullback Padraig Cremin converted the try to make it 7-0. Despite
heading against a strong wind, OPSB responded with a try by Allen in the 12th minute to cut the lead to two points. Allen,
who was in the right place at the right time, had Santa Monica make a poor pass directly to Allen who raced from the 50 meter
and stiff-armed his way to pay dirt. Bishop kicked a difficult penalty to take the lead by one, 8-7, in the 24th minute. However,
Cremin responded for Santa Monica with two penalties in the 28th and 38th minutes to take the lead, 13-8.
Controversy over the officiating increased when a strong tackle on Santa Monica's tighthead by Stone resulted in a 2nd
yellow card and removal from the game. Down a man, OPSB used strong tactical kicking that pinned Santa Monica
inside
their own 22. OPSB took advantage, patiently moving with forward play just outside the 5 meter zone and scored
when Schoener pushed over a try to tie the game, 13-13. Again Santa Monica responded with their open style
attack with several phases and a racing try by wing Brendon Daniels in the 48th minute. Santa Monica failed to
convert the try to keep the score 18-13. However, the try was enough as OPSB could only muster a penalty kick by
Bishop in the 66th minute. OPSB continued to put pressure but failed to convert any scoring opportunities, several
inside Santa Monica's 22 line. OPSB's Head Coach Vili Lino indicated the youth and inexperience probably attributed
in those last moments.
|
|
3/8/08 vs. Abbotsford
BC One 33 Abbotsford 23 - Using a 30 point advantage in the
first half, BC One cruised to a 33-21 win over Abbotsford this weekend. Josh Osborn, Eric Stacy, and Chris Stone scored
tries and Ryan Bishop made 4 penalty kicks while converting all three tries in the victory. BC One's patient offensive
attack and kicking game was too much for Abbotsford despite touting Canadian national players and a dangerous open field attack.
BC One struck first with 3 penalty kicks by Bishop in the first
20 minutes of play. Osborn then scored BC One's first try in the 23rd minute as the lead was stretched
to 16-0. Stone set up the 2nd try when he broke up the middle from a nifty pass from Justin Sturrock and
dished to Kevin Fuller who quickly offloaded to Eric Stacy. In the 34th minute with the forwards controlling
close to the line, Stone dotted his own try. Bishop converted all three tries and the score was 30-0 at halftime. Abbotsford came out with purpose as they scored in the 42nd
minute and converted the try to make it 30-7. The Canadian squad continued their pressure but did not score again until
the 65th minute to close the lead to 16 points (30-14). Abbotsford would score at the end of regulation but
was not enough. Stone was named "Man of the Match" for his play. BC Two 24 Abbotsford Two 9 - The strength of a rugby club is the play of their 2nd side. And with a 24-9 victory for the BC Two's,
there is definitely optimism for the season. Tony Ursino and Kevin Flynn scored tries in the 1st half for
a 12-6 lead over Abbotsford Two's at halftime. Wes Keyes and Aaron Molzhon scored tries in the 2nd half
to round out the scoring. Eddie Pugh made 2 conversions. Shane Moore, standout
from Kentwood High School, was named "Man of the Match" for BC Two.
|
