LARC v Belmont Shore

Saturday 16th February 2008

By Frank Baker.

RANCHO PALOS VERDES - Los Angeles scored first and last but it was all Belmont Shore in between as the defending Rugby Super League champions captured the pre-season Ganey Cup with a 42-10 victory Saturday at Dodson Middle School. Belmont’s B’s made it a clean sweep, defeating LARC’s seconds 36-15.

LARC (3-2) came into the match brimming with confidence after a last-second victory over OMBAC two weeks earlier and in the early going it appeared the home team might knock off a second SoCal giant, much to the delight of a large, enthusiastic crowd that included many Old Boys. LARC had all the early possession and took a 3-0 lead six minutes into the match when flyhalf Marcus slotted a 40-meter penalty.

That served as a wakeup call to Belmont Shore (3-0-1), which quickly gathered itself and used its forwards to set the pace. A lineout win followed by a 20-meter rolling maul produced the first of the visitor’s six trys and gave them a 7-3 lead at the 10-minute mark.

The next 10 minutes saw some terrific individual plays from LARC – jarring tackles from inside center Johnny and flanker Big Bruce brought cheers form the sideline – but team play by Belmont Shore produced two trys and a 19-3 lead. A penalty kick at the 33-minute mark increased the cushion to 22-3.

LARC continued to apply pressure but aided Belmont with sloppy play at the breakdowns. Time after time LARC ball-carriers made strong runs but turned over the ball in the tackle. Still, five minutes before half LARC had a chance to get back in the game. Hard running by captain Gabe, prop Kana and lock Dave moved the ball to Belmont’s five-meter line. Belmont was blown for a penalty and LARC tried a quick tap and go. But, again, Belmont forced the turnover. A booming clearing kick – tactical kicking was another area where Belmont dominated -- ended the threat.

Belmont got one more penalty kick just before half and went into the break up 25-3.

The visitors put the game away just a few minutes into the second half, forcing yet another LARC turnover and quickly moving the ball to the outside center, who broke a tackle and scampered in to give the visitors a 32-3 lead

LARC’s highlight play came at the 12-minute mark. Deep in LARC territory, Johnny squibbed a kick that danced along the sideline. He made a very difficult catch as the ball bounced up at the 22-meter line, cut sharply to his right, then zigzagged all the way to midfield. Lacking support, the LARC attack ended there.

Belmont added two more trys in the next 20 minutes before LARC finally broke through. As usual, Bruce played a key role. The lanky Fijian took possession 40 meters out, set a strong ruck that allowed scrumhalf Sean to make a clean, crisp pass to Marcus, who fed fullback Simon, who offloaded to replacement wing RJ, who dotted it down in the corner. Marcus made the difficult conversion.

With preseason now behind it, LARC begins its push for the playoffs this Saturday at Huntington Beach.