LARC v OMBAC
Saturday 1st March 2008
By Julian Bristow
The second match of the regular season had LARC v OMBAC at Dodson School in Rancho Palos Verdes. During the pre-season Ganey Cup LARC escaped Little Q in San Diego with a last minute try from winger Omar for a come from behind 24-20 win.
That was the first win for LARC over OMBAC in 21 years so motivation was high to make it 2 from 2 especially with OMBAC traveling to LA without their Super League players.
And, the LARC team didn’t disappoint with a commanding 52-19 victory. LARC scored 4 trys each half and Marcus converted 6 from 8. OMBAC deserved their 3 trys and to their credit did not let up for the entire 80 minutes.
It was a perfect day for Rugby, cool with overcast skies, soft green grass under foot and a large vocal home crowd. It was only 4 minutes into the game when Simon found his way over the try line after Marcus shot a skip pass to Hunter onto Johnny and Simon straightened and crashed through. Marcus converted, 7-0.
OMBAC responded soon after with a good team try to close the gap 7-5. However from the next kick off LARC put all the pressure on OMBAC the ball popped out the side and Dave hacked the ball through, regathered and fed the ball out to Joe to crash over in the left corner, LARC 12-5.
Soon after the 3rd try was scored. Dave found himself at fly half and threw out a skip pass to Tonga, onto Marcus, then Simon and back to a looping Tonga who jinked across field before finding Bruce on the angle who ran direct and scored under the posts. Conversion good, LARC 19-5.
The growing crowd was kept entertained with another barnstorming run from Hunter. It’s become a trademark of his game to pick the gap and run through into open space. This time he was well tackled within 5 meters of the line however Simon was in hot pursuit, scooped up the ball and fell over the line for his 2nd try of the half. Marcus converted and LARC went up 26-5.
OMBAC was rewarded almost on the stroke of half time with a good forwards try. The conversion was good and OMBAC signaled their return to the game closing the gap to just 14 points.
LARC started the second half strongly. The lineout was dominant with Bruce, Dave and James all winning their ball and the opposition ball. The scrum started to dominate and created a solid attacking platform for the backs.
Just a couple of minutes into the half and OMBAC was on the LARC try line and looking threatening. OMBAC lost the ball in a big tackle and Dave hacked it down field 60 meters. The OMBAC fullback cleaned up, but big Dave stormed through and made a huge tackle to fell player and ball, Johnny picked up the ball and fed Omar who scored. Marcus slammed another conversion and LARC was up 33-12.
LARC’s 6th try came a few minutes later. A planned back line move. Marcus to Johnny, to Hunter to Tonga back to Johnny and a try. As the game goes on the LARC backs start to find a better rhythm and passes start to stick. Marcus is in fine form and kicks another conversion to increase the score to 40-12.
OMBAC was on the board next, storming back into the game with some strong forward play. This time they held possession under tremendous pressure and scored a good try close to the posts. The OMBAC conversion was good and now just a 21 point lead to LARC 40-19.
With just under 10 minutes to play Coach Marty Jones rang the changes and on came the fresh legs. Paul, Tim, Billy and Nick made an instant impact in the forwards with AJ and Kyle injecting some speed into the backs. LARC was motivated to hit the half-century and trys to Tonga and Kyle and another conversion made it LARC 52 OMBAC 19.
Captain Gabe earned Man of the Match for another solid performance with double try scorer Simon picking up 2 points and Big Dave getting a single point for his dominant all round display.
LARC face Belmont Shore next week, Saturday 8th March at Dodson in the 3rd game of the regular season. After losing heavily to Belmont Shore in the Ganey Cup Final the team has requested all supporters get to Dodson for the 1pm kick off to cheer on and support the team to victory.
