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Author: Lief
Date submitted: Februrary 11, 2002

The shallowness of San Luis Obispo’s roster was exposed on Sunday at Occidental College, Los Angeles, as the boys from the central coast suffered a heart-breaking one-point loss to Oxy.

A combination of players’ unavailability and a devastating injury list made it a challenging task to put a competitive team on the field. To the absolute credit of everyone who played, we were more than competitive, and almost came away with the points. A new-look pack - consisting of Lou Ruscetta, Phil Campbell, Ross Moriarty, Mark Cummins, Greg Watson, Scott Lucas, Forest Nielsen, and the one and only Reggie Greenwood – looked to have their work cut out for them, as they tried to combine for the first time.

The first half opened in an encouraging fashion, as the SLO backline looked threatening with their first touch, and fulfilled the promise with their second – the Oxy defense was unable to handle a towering bomb and center Sean Leamy picked up the loose ball for the opening try of the game. Leamy, an experienced center from New Zealand, was a pivotal figure in the San Luis Obispo line, creating plenty of space for the outside backs. This try proved to be the wake-up call that Oxy needed, as their forward pack set about mounting a sustained attack, ably supported by their hard running midfield. This pressure was converted into points, as Oxy took a lead with two tries in the space of 15 minutes. San Luis hit back near the end of the first half, as Leamy put his center partner Sean Bolduan into a hole. Bolduan deftly drew his man and sent fullback Lief McKay on a canter for a well-crafted backline try. The halftime score was 13-12 in Oxy’s favour.

The second half was a lot more open, as both teams explored every avenue to try and bust the game open. SLO number 8 Reggie Greenwood was desperately unlucky not to be awarded a try as he rolled off a maul and crashed over the line. The San Luis forwards were convinced the try was scored, but the referee ruled the ball was held up. San Luis did score soon after however, again through their backs, as a simple hands movement gave winger Deron Brewer a little room to move. He was tied up 5 meters out, but managed to squeeze out a miraculous pass to Bolduan – supporting outside – who dived over in the corner. The sideline conversion gave SLO a 19-13 lead with 15 minutes to play. Unfortunately, this proved to be too much time to hold out, as Oxy substituted in a handful of veterans to finish the job. It proved to be a coaching masterstroke on their part, as the fresh legs were the difference – several phases inside our half lead to a converted try to make the final score of 20-19. We found ourselves in the Oxy half twice more, but turned the possession over both times to extinguish any last hope of a penalty or drop-goal.

A one-point loss is always hard to stomach, but everyone did himself proud on the day, especially the forward pack that overcame the extreme adversity of never having practiced together. Special mention must go to hooker Phil Campbell starting his first A Team game on his 30th birthday, utility back Forest Nielsen who made his debut on the flank, and comeback player of the year Reggie Greenwood who started his first A Team game in about 43 years. Nielsen particularly impressed, making numerous incisive darts up field, as did explosive flanker Scott Lucas, whose work rate is second to none. Also worthy of special mention is rookie Ken Miller, who in only his second game of rugby, was thrown in the deep end at prop when Phil Campbell had to leave the game at half time. It is probably the toughest job a coach could ask of a rookie, and he stepped up without complaint and didn’t let anyone down.

Veterans Ross Moriarty, Greg Watson and Paul Cappellano were all good contributors on a day that just wasn’t meant to be.



Score: Oxy Olde Boys 20 defeated San Luis Obispo 19 (S Leamy try; S Bolduan try; L McKay try, 2 conversions)

MVP: Scott Lucas

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