Pelham, NY, May 26, 2012 - On a hot muggy day on Travers Island, the New York Athletic Club won its Super League semifinal match against visiting Life University by a score of 38-12. NYAC’s win was quite emphatic with six different players crossing for tries, while Life’s scoring was limited to four Aaron McMaster penalty goals.

With its victory, NYAC won the Super League’s Blue Conference outright, compiling an unblemished 9-0 record, including two earlier wins over Life.

Life finished the season with a 6-3 record.

While Life dominated in the early going, NYAC opened the scoring in the 13^th minute when Eagle flanker Lou Stanfill touched down a corner try and center Alan MacGinty converted, 7-0.

Following a Life turnover, NYAC extended its lead to 14-0 in the 20^th minute when center Toby L’Estrange finished off a 40-meter attack with a try that MacGinty improved, 14-0.

Life got on the board two minutes later when center Aaron McMaster hit the first of his four penalty goals from near midfield, 14-3.

A heavy penalty count against NYAC provided Life with numerous opportunities. Life capitalized on it in the 27^th minute with McMaster’s second penalty goal (14-6) after NYAC flanker Neil McMillian was yellow carded.

A third penalty goal by Life’s Aaron McMaster and a try by NYAC #8 Al McFarland, that MacGinty converted, brought the halftime score to NYAC 21, Life 9.

A fourth penalty goal by Life’s Aaron McMaster ten minutes after the restart, narrowed NYAC’s lead to 21-12, but those would be the visitors’ final points.

NYAC responded in the 16^th minute with a corner try by flanker Neil McMillan after a series of attacks starting 15 meters from Life’s line. MacGinty’s conversion increased NYAC’s lead to 28-12.

A storming try by NYAC lock Brian Doyle on the return of an attempted Life clearing kick increased the host’s lead to 33-12 in the 26^th minute.

NYAC lock James Denise rang down the game’s scoring curtain in the 35^th minute when he crashed across for a try following a lineout win five meters from Life’s line, 38-12.

NYAC 38
Tries: Stanfill, L’Estrange, McFarland, McMillian, Doyle, Denise
Convs: MacGinty 4

Life - 12
Pens: McMaster 4

Referee: Aruna Ranaweera

Assistant Refs: Greg Gilliam Harley Griffiths