K.C., Lions and San Francisco in tight wins

Week two of Super League saw close wins for Kansas City, Chicago and San Francisco Golden Gate, with big wins to Old Blue New York and Dallas. Denver also joined the winners' circle.

The Kansas City Blues traveled to the nation's capitol hoping to blot out memories of their disappointing end to 2001 and did so by beating Washington 28-15. It was three tries apiece, the difference being the boot of point-scoring pivot Scott Kram who slotted three penalties and two conversions.

Try-scorers for K.C. were Fraser Leavasa and Eric Masterson (2), while Dave McPherson, Ryan Clayton and Bob Mahari crossed for Washington. "It was a good game with a lot of hard running and hard tackling," said Washington's Ron McCready. "They played a controlled and disciplined game and they took advantage of our mistakes."

Further north in the big apple, NYAC hosted its first Super League game by taking on the Chicago Lions. With the temperature at 45 degrees and the wind blowing at around 30 mph, conditions were tricky, but it was Chicago that emerged victorious 13-8.

Each team scored a try, although the Lions crossed for two more that were called back by the referee and Chicago is asking if that's right. Eagle center Phillip Eloff dotted down for Chicago, while flyhalf Duncan Blowers booted two penalties and a conversion. For NYAC, John McGeachy got the touchdown with Aidan Mara adding a penalty.

NYAC impressed Chicago's Tony Rio, "They're a good team. It was a hard game, but I thought our forwards won it because they got around the pitch a bit quicker than theirs."

The other New York team, Old Blue, went south to Philadelphia and came away with a 27-7 victory. "It was a game of missed opportunities," said Philly manager Dave McGrail. "We spent a lot of time knocking on their door, but couldn't capitalize on it. Quite honestly, our fitness isn't where it needs to be."

Down in the long horn state, the Dallas Harlequins hosted Old Puget Sound Beach of Seattle. The Quins, looking to make amends for last week's nail-biting loss to OMBAC, were clear winners taking this one 36-8. Five tries, one of which was a penalty try, told the story.

Anthony Holder (2), Corne Cronje and Johan van Rensburg were the Dallas try-scorers, while ex-Eagle Matt Alexander chimed in with four conversions and a penalty goal. For OPSB, Mitch Stewart got the try and Luke Erenavalu kicked a penalty.

At San Francisco's Balboa Park, the Olympic Old Blues hosted the Denver Barbarians in the first of two matches at that venue. The Barbos got home in the early game 35-20.

Denver scored four tries to grab a bonus point. Olympic's two tries were scored by Kevin Barth and Steve McNeill, Scott Clayton kicked two penalties and two conversions. "It was a nice bounce back from last week, but the boys were disappointed with the result," said Olympic president Mike Strain. "We were one pass short of a few more scoring chances."

In the second match, San Francisco Golden Gate made their first appearance of the 2002 season against Life University and got the better of the visitors, winning 24-17. SFGG was ahead by 16 at the break, but Life hit back in the second half outscoring the homeside 12-3, although it wasn't enough to carry the day. For Life, Dan Kennedy, Brad Free and Jack Sihota scored tries, while James Le Grice kicked a conversion. SFGG's tries were registered by Jason Gillam, Smith and Patu. Eagle flyhalf Grant Wells potted one penalty and three conversions.

Last minute aircraft mechanical troubles in Aspen forced the postponement of the scheduled game in Boston because the defending champions weren't able to get to the east coast.