Preview: US Super League, Week Three
Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:13
Following a short break from action last weekend, the United State's Super League matches resume on Saturday, March 29. After some big upsets in Week One, there is no telling what the competition holds in store this week.
The Denver Barbarians host San Francisco, the Dallas Harlequins roll into Chicago after a dominant victory over Washington to face the Lions, while on the East Coast, Old Blue heads to Charlotte looking for a 'W' after a frustrating tie against Boston.
Match of the Week:
Denver Barbarians v San Francisco Golden Gate
The March 15 RSL kick-off saw two major upsets in Red Conference play - with the Denver Barbarians coming out on top and the San Francisco Golden Gate falling short due to missed opportunities early on.
In Long Beach, the Barbos shut down Belmont Shore 27-24, bringing the defending RSL Champions' 23 game regular-season winning streak to an end. Meanwhile, at Treasure Island, consistent play-off contenders Golden Gate dropped an 17-18 heartbreaker to San Diego's OMBAC off a try from the ageless Jason Raven in the game's final seconds.
This week, the two teams meet at Denver's Dick's Sporting Goods Park, where the question remains: can the Barbos build on the momentum of their big win over Belmont and push past SFGG or will Golden Gate redeem themselves in time to avoid going 0-2 in week three?
We look at all the match-ups for Week Three, with local times and locations.
RED Conference
Santa Monica travels to Little Q to take on the 2006 RSL champs from OMBAC on their home field. Both pulled off narrow victories against their opponents in Week One - with the Dolphins turning in an 18-16 win over Old Puget Sound Beach and the boys from San Diego notching a late 18-17 victory over their rivals, Golden Gate.
After faltering against the Denver Barbarians in Week One, Belmont Shore heads to Washington eager to redeem themselves and earn a win against Old Puget Sound Beach. OPSB made a comeback to pull within two points versus Santa Monica but couldn't quite muscle enough scoring oomph to surge ahead before the final whistle.
Fixtures:
Denver Barbarians v San Francisco Golden Gate - Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver - 15.00 MDT
Old Mission Beach Athletic Club v Santa Monica - Little Q Rugby Field, San Diego - 15.00 PDT
Old Puget Sound Beach v Belmont Shore - Marymoor Park, Field #7, Redmond, Washington - 15.00 PDT
Standings after Week One:
(under headings: W, L, T, PF, PA, BT, BL, PP, TOTAL)
Denver Barbarians 1 0 0 27 24 1 0 0 5
Santa Monica 1 0 0 18 16 0 0 0 4
OMBAC 1 0 0 18 17 0 0 0 4
SF Golden Gate 0 1 0 17 18 0 1 0 1
Belmont Shore 0 1 0 24 27 0 1 0 1
Old Puget Sound Beach 0 1 0 16 18 0 1 0 1
WHITE Conference
Dallas and the Chicago Lions both sit atop the White conference after earning dominant victories over their respective opponents on March 15. Dallas blew past Washington 82-0, while Chicago overpowered Philly out wide to go up 40-5. The 2007 runners-up Lions should provide a stern test for the young Harlequins side.
Washington meets another uphill battle this week. After getting off to a sluggish start at Dallas in Week One, the team now hosts NYAC. The more experienced New York side could prove too much to handle for the fresh- faced D.C. team.
Philly and the Boston Irish Wolfhounds each head into this weekend's round looking for a win to spring them from the bottom of the White standings. The Whitemarsh were no match for the quick Chicago backline while a team effort from NYAC saw Boston falter 12-36.
Fixtures:
Chicago Lions v Dallas Harlequins - Chicago Blaze grounds, Lemont, Illinois - 13.00 CDT
Washington v New York Athletic Club - Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, Maryland - 13.30 EDT
Boston Irish Wolfhounds - Philly-Whitemarsh, Irish Cultural Centre, Canton, Massachusetts. - 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
Standings after Week One:
(under headings: W, L, T, PF, PA, BT, BL, PP, TOTAL)
Dallas Harlequins 1 0 0 82 0 1 0 0 5
Chicago Lions 1 0 0 40 5 1 0 0 5
New York AC 1 0 0 36 12 1 0 0 5
Philly-Whitemarsh 0 1 0 5 40 0 0 0 0
Washington 0 1 0 0 82 0 0 0 0
Boston Irish Wolfhounds 0 1 0 12 36 0 0 0 0
BLUE Conference
Charlotte had a big first week of RSL play, earning its first win since the 2006 season against PAC. Rolling off its 15-8 victory, the team hosts a usually consistent Old Blue squad, which felt the aches of injuries in key roles in Week One to finish dead even with Boston.
PAC and St. Louis both had tough times in their respective season openers. The latter succumbed to the Chicago Griffins 28-8 under dreary conditions in the Windy City, while the former felt the growing pains of inexperience and gave up some costly errors against Charlotte.
After a missed kick cost Boston Rugby a chance at a Week One victory, the club hosts the Chicago Griffins, who currently top the Blue standings with five points.
Fixtures:
Charlotte v Old Blue - Charlotte Rugby Club House - 15.00 EDT
St. Louis Bombers v Potomac Athletic Club - Sportport Stadium, Maryland Heights, Missouri - 19.00 CDT
Boston Rugby v Chicago Griffins - Madison Park High School, Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts - 14.30 EDT
Standings after Week One:
(under headings: W, L, T, PF, PA, BT, BL, PP, TOTAL)
Chicago Griffins 1 0 0 28 8 1 0 0 5
Charlotte 1 0 0 15 8 0 0 0 4
Old Blue 0 0 1 21 21 0 0 0 2
Boston Rugby 0 0 1 21 21 0 0 0 2
Potomac Athletic Club 0 1 0 8 15 0
1 0 1
St. Louis Bombers 0 1 0 8 28 0 0 0 0
