Sunday's semifinal and final: The weather (rainy, windy and somewhat chilly) and the referees were both shifty on Saturday and, as a result, those 2 matches had flow and rhythm. In other words, we played like shit and won both matches in spite of that fact. That all changed on Sunday which was definitely a clear and sunny day. With improved conditions and best refereeing we stepped up our game and literally stole the Old Boys championship trophy from our old nemesis at the last 2 Cape Fear 7's Old Boys finals: Tobacco Road out of Greensboro NC. PWRFC OB's scored 1st early in the opening half only to watch as that initial lead evaporated as we conceded a converted try, a penalty goal and an unconverted try prior to the end of the half. Throughout the 1st half of the 2nd period we played as if we were going to concede defeat to these guys. And then something changed. I'm not sure if they began to tire or what, but we definitely upped our intensity and began to pound the ball down their throats - it was as if you switched a tape from play to fast-forward. The net result was 2 tries: an unconverted try scored by our flyhalf Steve Hynes who broke free and rumbled around the weak side of the scrum near the right sideline; and a converted try under the posts, which was scored with 8 minutes to play by Tatonka and was the net result of a series of approximately 10 or more intense rucks whereby we drove the ball from their 40 meter line after a lineout near the right sideline. Since I was playing inside center at that point in the match and we were up by only 2 points, Steve and I decided to keep the ball close to the forwards with a number of switches and crash plays which allowed us to eat up the clock and maintain possession. They hardly had any viable possession for the remainder of the match and we literally stole victory from defeat and the crowd loved it! After the match, lots of different people approached to compliment us on what they felt was the best match of the day. Take care and I'll see you again later this year at Cape Fear.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dates: Friday, February 22, 2002 - Monday, February 25, 2002
Saturday pool play:
PW Old Boys 22 Life Old Boys 14
PW Old Boys 17? Miami/Boca Old Boys 7
PW Old Boys 24 Pelidactyls 0
PW Old Boys 17 Tobacco Road (recognize these guys?) 15