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Author: Lief
Date submitted: April 16, 2002

San Luis Obispo produced their most disciplined and passionate display of the season in San Diego on Saturday. Faced with the daunting challenge of making the 6-hour journey to play a sudden elimination game against the respected Old Aztec Rugby Club, the team pulled together in strong show of team pride.

There were danger signs for the San Luis backline moments after the opening kick-off when the Aztec inside center made a damaging run up the midfield to set up some strong field position. However, with a breeze and the sun at their backs, the San Luis pack inched their way down the field and set up some good ball for the backline to work with. During this phase of play, SLO were concerned to lose prop Troy Javadi with a back injury. This led to a reshuffle of positions which saw fly-half Paul Cappellano move to the flank, and fullback Lief McKay assume the number 10 jersey. The new look backline settled in quickly, and immediately began troubling the Aztec line. A good lead-up took play deep into the Aztec half. An attacking lineout was soon given, and champion number-8 Ross Moriarty took a shallow pass to break several tackles and open the scoring under the posts. The ensuing conversion followed shortly by a penalty saw the lead at 10-0.

Ten minutes later, winger Paddy Sherlock was desperately unlucky not to be awarded a try as the referee judged he lost the ball in-goal. Soon after, Paul Cappellano showed why he is such an invaluable player as he charged down a kick from the Aztec fly-half. After chasing past the Aztec fullback, he brilliantly gathered the ball for a spectacular solo try to blow out the SLO lead to 15 points. This was to remain the score at the half time whistle.

The second half started poorly for SLO, as they conceded a try in the opening 5 minutes. Both teams settled in after this into a dour battle. Most of the action was played out within 20 meters either side of the halfway line. This period was punctuated by some huge hitting from stalwart lock Bobby Evans whose MVP effort was instrumental in lifting the whole team. He was ably supported by the entire pack comprising of Phil Poist, Lou Ruscetta, Kevin Wolf, Greg Watson, Paul Cappellano, Ross Moriarty and the imposing Mike Berger. Larry Nash was a second half substitute for Mike Berger, and also played a deft hand.

The stalemate was broken in the 30th minute, and unfortunately for SLO it was the Aztec winger breaking through some flimsy defense for a try. SLO followed moments later with a penalty to leave the score at 18-14 before the play of the day – the Aztec winger had got into space and looked assured of a try as he crossed the tryline unopposed, but as he attempted to improve the position toward the posts, rookie fullback Jake Townsend and Sean Bolduan hit him simultaneously into touch and the try was denied. That really seemed to break the Aztec spirit, and SLO capitalized with several dynamic backline plays revolving around star Kiwi center Sean Leamy. Leamy oozes class, and was the pick of the backs on a day when everyone was worthy of a mention, consistently breaking the first tackle and standing up his opposite number. The score would have been far greater if support players had a couple more metres of pace. Wingers Chris Edwards, Paddy Sherlock and Luc Gooden were impressive under pressure, Jake Townsend showed he could be the find of the season, and Sean Bolduan played the perfect linking role at outside center.

With the play on the Aztecs 22m line, Lief McKay slotted a penalty on the final bell, leaving the euphoric SLO team to celebrate a memorable 21-14 victory. The revelry continued into the wee hours of Sunday morning in Ocean Beach before the boys hit the long road home.

Next week SLO faces Oxy Olde Boys and will attempt to turn around a 1-point loss from earlier in the season. A victory in that game will guarantee San Luis Obispo RFC a place in a streamlined Division II competition next year.

Score: San Luis Obispo 21 (R Moriarty try; P Cappellano try; L McKay conversion, 3 penalties) defeated Old Aztecs 14

MVP: Bob Evans

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