Metropolis Rugby Club hoped to surprise.  Belmont Shore came with a vision.  Two teams evenly matched in size and ability – the result was two rugby powerhouses putting it all on the line in an entertaining semi final played at Infinity Park, Glendale, this evening. 

Scoring got under way with a penalty conversion by Belmont fly half, Kameron Moeller, in the tenth minute followed four minutes later, with a try by lock and captain, Ian Carpenter, from a multi phase drive off of a lineout.

Metropolis kept things interesting with a huge penalty kick by center, Louis Joubert, from 43 meters out in the twentieth minute.  But Belmont responded with open side flanker, Eric Duechle, having a solid run which setup hands to hands passing for the winger, Sinapati Uiagalelei, to cross the line for a try which was converted by Moeller in the twenty ninth minute.

Uiagalelei scored again in the thirty third minute with an assist in play from center, Peter Sio.  Moeller’s conversion was good and Belmont retired to the change rooms at half time in the lead with 22 points to Metropolis’s 3 points.

The second half belonged to Belmont as they continued on their march to the final.  While Metropolis did their best to contain Belmont’s onslaught, Belmont piled on the pressure and were rewarded with Metropolis conceding a penalty to Belmont in the first ten minutes of the second half.  Moeller was successful with the penalty conversion and Belmont surged ahead 30-3.

A try by Belmont number 18, Hayden Pitts, in the seventieth minute was followed by a superb solo try by hooker, Zack Fenoglio, who pinned his ears back, when he broke through the Metropolis defense and galloped all the way over the try line for the most entertaining try of the game.

That was all the work that Belmont Shore needed to do in order to secure their birth in the championship final tomorrow and the scoreboard told the story with Belmont Shore beating Metropolis 37-3.

A delighted Belmont Shore Coach, Ray Egan, had this to say about his team, “The team stayed committed to the game plan of taking care of the ball through multiple phases of play.

“We knew Metropolis was going to be tough defensively and knew we had to look out for each other when we had possession.”

“It was a great win for the boys and we look forward to any challenge presented to us tomorrow.”

Belmont Shore will meet Glendale Rugby Football Club in the Men’s DI Championship Final at 4 pm MT Sunday.

Half time score :  Belmont Shore Rugby Club 22

Metropolis Rugby Club 3

Belmont Shore Rugby Club 37
Tries: Carpenter, Uiagalelei (2), Pitts, Fenoglio
Convs: Moeller (3)
Pens: Moeller (2)

Metropolis Rugby Club 3
Pens: Louis Joubert