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After a winter that seemingly never quit, it was a nice spring day with hazy sunshine in Washington DC for this opening match of the 2003 SuperLeague season. The grounds at Kenilworth park were soft and damp, but held up well, providing both teams with a decent stage for some rugby magic.

After the opening score, PAC continued to keep the pressure on Boston. At the 18-minute mark, Boston was caught with playing the ball from the deck. PAC fullback Dave Burt made Boston pay, slotting the easy 20-meter kick. (PAC 10 - Boston 0).

After the ensuing kick-off, Boston fought back and found themselves inside PAC's territory for the first time of the match. Just two minutes later, the pressure from Boston forced a PAC error and the Reds were caught hands in at a ruck. Boston winger stepped up to the ball from outside 30-meters and converted the 3 pointer opening the scoring account for the beantown side. (PAC 10 - Boston 3).

PAC responded to the score by forcing the play back into the Boston half for much of the rest of the half.  After controlling much of the possession and field position it seemed another score was inevitable. But Boston was determined not to let PAC pull away, time and time again making solid defensive stands. Then with seconds left before halftime, Boston finally broke allowing the second PAC try of the match. But it wasn't thier defense that failed Boston.

After misplayed ball by Boston at their 35-meter line. PAC center Greg "Kato" McLaughlin scooped up the loose ball and broke through two Boston defenders. Just as he was being wrapped, he slipped a pass to Fabling who broke free to the Boston 12-meter line. Then Fabling returned the favor and found the supporting McLaughlin who finished it off for his first try of the season. (PAC 17 - Boston 3, conversion Burt).

The second half was a different game. After months of being buried in the snow and a diminished pre-season, Boston finally found its legs. From the opening mark the New Englanders began to exert strong pressure on PAC and it would yield solid dividends. At the 50 minute mark Boston scored the first of 3 unanswered penalty kicks by winger Stan Ruda.

The first was from 26-meters at center post after a PAC infraction at the ruck. The DC squad was again penalized at the breakdown and 8 minutes later, at 58mins, from the distance of 23 meters a second penalty kick was stroked through by Ruda. Boston seemed to gain momentum, chipping away at the gap and PAC was committing repeated infractions, seemingly losing concentration. Boston added a third penalty at the 62-minute mark from 30 meters out. After 62 minutes the score was closed to PAC 17 - Boston 12 and it was a whole new ballgame, or so it seemed.

Just minutes later PAC answered Boston¡¦s challenge when PAC lock Dax Schmaukel rumbled into the end zone for a try from 10 meters out. The score was sparked by strong drive from a PAC lineout at the Boston 35-meter line. PAC won the lineout a drove the players from Boston back inside their own 22-meter line. After securing possession from the forwards, newly inserted half-back David Etches broke with the ball to the weak side, sliding by the opposite scrumhalf and the Boston forwards. Inside Boston's 10-meter line and looking for support, Etches found second row Schmaukel putting the big man into open space for the final try of the game at 62 minutes. (PAC 22 - Boston 12, conversion missed)

In the final 20 minutes the game seesawed back and forth for several minutes. Then at 70 minutes a sudden strike changed the nature of the game. A long clearing kick by Boston landed in behind the PAC winger and fullback. With everyone giving chase, Boston got some luck of the Irish on St. Patty's weekend, and the ball bounced right into the hands of the Boston winger Nino Balduzzi who was able to streak to the try zone for an easy 5 pointer. (PAC 22 - Boston 19, converted Ruda.)

With the game on the line, PAC seemed to come back to life. The final 10 minutes of the match was dominated by PAC's defense and attacking in Boston territory when on offense. PAC held the Boston team out of their end of the pitch and nearly scored an additional try late in the match but were barely held out. Final Score PAC 22 - Boston 19. David Etches was the Bottom Line Man of the Match.

Referee: Mr. Graeme Bullen (Texas Rugby Union)

PAC Lineup:
1 Jesse Lapierre
2 Steve Cleary
3 Aaron Bheuring*
4 Dax Schmaukel
5 Jay Keller
6 Mike Kowalski
7 Thomas Lionet
8 Jason Powell
9 Tom Kenney**
10 Mike Fabling
11 Josh Stallings
12 Greg McGlaughlin
13 Mark Nemec
14 Danzel VanZyl
15 Dave Burt
* Brian Olmes @ 60minutes
** David Etches @ 68minutes

B-side finishes poorly
With the c-side opposition cancelling, the B-side platooned over 27 players into the match. Unfortunately, the B-side also was out worked and never got the right kind of continuity and sustained pressure needed to close on Boston who led the whole match. However, PAC did continual to claw thier way back into the game and fight against the tide of Boston attack. For his work at in the back row at the number #8 spot, JC Rocha earned the Bottom Line Man of the Match.