RUGBY: Big scores in Week Four of Super League

In Chicago, the hometown Lions went on a scoring romp in pasting Philadelphia-Whitemarsh 52-5. Chicago scored eight tries to Philly’s one. The Lions controlled the scrums and handled the 45 mph winds better, although Philadelphia’s cause wasn’t helped by a flight delay that meant a late kick-off. Chicago turned it on in the second half scoring 35 unanswered points with flanker Paul Harpur one of the best players on the field.

Playing at home, reigning champs Life College of Atlanta downed Kansas City 32-14. Both sides scored two tries apiece, the difference being the boot of Life flyhalf Jason Penaluna who kicked six penalty goals and two conversions for a total of 22 points. Life coach Mel Smith said it was a hard fought game, “We went 26 minutes in the second half without a score which I think showed good patience on both sides.”

Blues’ captain Vince Pastorino attributed the loss to lapses in concentration, “We cost ourselves by giving away too many penalties.”

In the nation’s capitol, the Potomac Athletic Club and Washington met in a local derby with PAC running out winners 34-13. In notching their first win of 2001, PAC scored five tries to secure a bonus point while their cross town rivals managed to dot down twice. PAC’s Tom Lyons said the ‘W’ felt pretty good, “We’re back in the hunt now and the win also redeems a couple of narrow losses earlier in the season.”

Rounding out Eastern Conference action, Boston upended Old Blue New York 18-16 in beantown. That result puts Boston in a tie with Life at the top of the points table.

In the Western Conference, Aspen racked up another huge score in thrashing fellow Colorado side Denver 53-3. The Gents ran in nine tries, three by prop forward Lance Sigley. Denver centre Dennis Bickerstaff broke an ankle in a first half tackle at which point the Barbarians seemed to lose direction. After dropping their opening game Aspen has scored three impressive wins, yet club spokesperson Andrew Saltonstall said they can still improve, “It helps to get outdoors once in a while, but we’re still making some basic mistakes.”

Not to be outdone, San Diego side OMBAC kept their unbeaten record intact beating Old Puget Sound Beach 57-10. In cold and windy conditions the home team scored 8 tries to one. Flyhalf Alistair Steele had a field day kicking seven conversions and a penalty goal for a personal haul of 17 points. OMBAC’s Mike Tracy said despite a sloppy field everything clicked, “Our guys really focused on their rucking and quick recycles. It was probably the best rugby we’ve played all season.”

In Dallas, the hometown Harlequins snuck home 30-28 over Belmont Shore. Both teams scored three tries and three penalties apiece, the difference being one conversion. Belmont Shore dominated the first 40 minutes, but couldn’t withstand a strong finishing Dallas in the second stanza. Trailing 27-28 with the final whistle about to blow, The Quins were awarded a penalty and flyhalf Matt Alexander booted the match-winner to help his side improve to 2-2 on the season.

After four weeks of competition OMBAC leads the West with Aspen in second place.