REDSKINS - 2003 SCHEDULE
SUN 10/12/2003 Tampa Bay 1 p.m.
SUN 11/9/2003 Seattle 1 p.m.
SUN 11/30/2003 New Orleans 4:05 p.m.
SUN 12/14/2003 Dallas 1 p.m.
SAT 12/27/2003 Philadelphia 8:30 p.m

The next 15 minutes of play was filled with penalties committed by both Pittsburgh and PAC. Pitt was unable to convert anything better than field position. But at 20 minutes PAC capitalized with a 30-meter penalty kick by Dave Burt. (PAC 10 – 0 Pitt).

A few minutes later PAC was deep inside their 22-meter line area with a line out. After winning the line out the ball shot out to the backs where flyhalf Mike Fabling and the backs were waiting. The ball was skipped out to Burt who passed it to Stalling who in turn fed it back inside to Etches who continued the flow back to Fabling and on down the field the backs flew. The ball ended back up on the completed opposite side where Danzel assisted in taking the ball inside the Pitt’s 5 meter line area. It was there that Pitt’s finally was able to stop PAC’s attack. But the stoppage was short lived. The ref gave a 5-meter scrum to PAC. And at the put in, number 8 Randy Stephens picked up the ball and dished a pass to Danzel for his 2nd try of the match. (Conversion - Burt, PAC 17 – 0 Pitt)

At the 29 minute mark the PAC forwards had begun to assert themselves, and took one of the many line out steals of the day. And after the forwards cleaned it up, scrumhalf Tom Kenney fed it to Flyhalf Fabling who immediately went to work breaking through the Pitts’ back line and then punching a kick downfield. An infringement by Pittsburgh follwed and a quick tap from Fabs to center Greg McGlaughlin eventually found second row Pete Walton in the far corner for Walton’s first try of the season. (Conversion - Burt, halftime score PAC 24 – 0 Pitts)

Just as occurred in the first half, the scoring started in the opening minutes from the kick-off. The first score occurred after an impressive drive from a line out from Pitt’s 30-meter line. Second row sub Greg Seward went up high for the take and an upon hitting the ground the PAC forwards drove the Quins inside their 10-meter line. Scrumhalf Tom "Dart" Kenney fed the ball to a bursting number eight Randy Stephens who scored his second try for the day. (Conversion - Burt, PAC 31 – 0 Pitt)

15 minutes later the backs used good ball from the forwards to attack. The forwards drove the ball to the right side and Kenney decided to take the ball for a quick pass to Fabling, who attacked the line with Etches on his flank. After a smooth pass to outside center Etches, who crossed the line for his first 5 pointer of the day. (Conversion - Burt, PAC 38 – 0 Pitt).

The next 2 scores of the day were directly set up by pressure defense from PAC. The first was started when Pitts was putting the ball into their scrum around mid-field. PAC was able to drive the visiting forwards off the ball and in a scramble to maintain possession their scrumhalf attempted a pass out to their backs. That is when rookie sensation Ivan Hardnet put the heat on their flyhalf causing the ball to be misplayed and spilled to the deck. As it bounced to the ground Etches scooped up another loose ball. Etches found Stalling streaking to assist and Josh made an unbelievable catch to a very difficult pass only to end up with his first 5 pointer for the day. (Conversion - Burt, PAC 45 – 0 Pitt)

Down 45 points with a long drive home, Pittsburgh could have packed it, but would not give up the fight. With 5 minutes remaining in the match a Quin back made a nice chip over and downfield behind the PAC defense. Pittsburgh regained possession and recycled to continue the attack. With PAC reeling to get in position, one Quin attacker appeared to break free with no defenders between him and the line. Then, just as Pitt’s player dove over the line a streak of red flashed into and under the Pitt’s player grabbing the ball before it was touched down. A try saving tackle, it also secured the shut out. When the play ended, there was Ivan Hardnett getting up with his huge smile and the ball in his hands.

PAC added one more try at the end of regulation, when the PAC forwards stole the ball and made a quick feed to flyhalf Fabling. Fabs fed it out to Etches who after running 25 meters gave it up for the final 50 meters to Danzel. Allowing Danzel to get his first hat trick of the season. Burt missed the conversion. Final Score PAC 50 – 0 Pitts. Though there were a number of deserved players mentioned for the man of the match - VanZyl with 3 tries, Randy Stephens with 2, and Ivan with a great all around game. However, the Bottom Line Man of the Match was Dave Etches. Etches re-invigorated the PAC backline, led the offensive efforts with his try scoring assists, was everywhere at the right times, and was a stand out on defense.

B-side finishes on top
The supposedly shortened match against the Pittsburg B's was perhaps the most spirited and competitive match of the day, ably officiated by Danzel VanZyl. The points were few but the game was not short on action.

After his debut at flanker in the A match, which included a try-saving tackle, Ivan Hardnett reprised his role by stepping into the passing lanes to intercept a Pittsburgh pass and fly 50 yards for a try. The sides battled back and forth, both looking for a weakness or mistake that would allow a team to take over the game - neither side could gain an edge. Then, shortly before the half, Pittsburgh answered to tie the match at 5-5 and the game went into the break even.

After opening the second frame the way the first closed - each team matching and countering the other it seemed the next score could win the game. Then the break PAC needed occured when Hooker Steve Cleary landed in pay dirt for a key try after a number of attacks by both the forwards and backs. The try was converted and a 12-5 lead looked safe. But Pittsburg fought its way uphill for a late try which was also converted. The match remained deadlocked until full time. But both sides agreed to finish the match with sudden death. Playing uphill, PAC was rewarded 15 minutes into it when #8 Matt McBay broke clear after picking up from the scrum and sped 40 yards for the decisive try. 17-12. Bottom Line Man of the Match - Danzel VanZyl - for his stellar job officiating the match.

PAC Thirds defeats West Potomac
PAC set their stamp on the match vs. West Pot in the very first minutes and never looked back. Center Emmanuel Herinckx finished off a smooth multi-pass 70-yard movement begun by Dave "Cheese" Farling to lead 5-0 two minutes after the kick-off. Following the next kick-off, the side moved crisply inside the West Pot 22 meter line and camped briefly before Mark Cyphers eased through a chink in the defense for the second try of the match. (PAC 10-0 WP)

On the ensuing kick-off, the defenders made the mistake of angering scrum half Corey Rosensteel by coming off-side in a ruck and preventing him from playing the ball. Corey responded by blasting through the defense and then feeding off to flyhalf Justin Prudhomme, who sprinted the remaining 50 yards for third try a bare 13 minutes into the match. (PAC 15-0 WP)

After the next kick-off, the side moved somewhat more gradually down the field until Farling received a weak side pass off a scrum and rolled 40 yards to the line. (PAC 20-0 WP). Next man to find the goal line was Wing Dan Rausch, who took a first phase ball around the opposition for a 35-yard try. Al Martinez converted. PAC 27-0 WP. Within ten minutes Al was again converting a try, this time his own, the result of his blast through the backline from his fullback position. Replacement center Jesse Turnier capped off the first half scoring by finishing off a 50 yard kick and chase begun by Martinez and assisted by center Herinckx. PAc held a substanial 39-0 lead at halftime.

Unfortunately, the scond half produced more frustration and fisticuffs than points as West Pot to hung offside to slow down the scoring pace. However, the PAC side, forced to play more defense than in the first half, held up well under pressure and counter-attacked for two additional second-half tries. Shortly after one fracas, Prudhomme settled matters by going through the defense for 80 yards and a try that Rosensteel converted. 46-0. Rauscher finished things with a stunning and controlled 60-yard kick and chase which he picked up on the gallop to carry over the line. 51-0

The side is to be congratulated for playing a solid match, intelligently exploiting a significant speed advantage in the backs, forcing the larger opposition to chase for nearly 80 minutes. Set piece work was sound and the forwards managed to wheel their sizable opposition, claiming a large percentage of opposition put-ins while spoiling most of the remainder. Bottom Line Man of the Match - flyhalf Justin Prudhomme.

The complete Fox Sports World schedule below:

Pool Event                      Day       Time      Repeat Date Repeat Time
============================================================================
  Opening Ceremony           Mon, 13-Oct 7 p.m. ET
A Australia vs Argentina     Mon, 13-Oct 8 p.m. ET Tue, 14-Oct 2 a.m. ET
C South Africa vs Uruguay    Tue, 14-Oct 5 p.m. ET
D New Zealand vs Italy       Tue, 14-Oct 8 p.m. ET
B France vs Fiji             Tue, 14-Oct 11 p.m.
A Ireland vs. Romania        Wed, 15-Oct 2 a.m. ET
D Wales vs Canada            Wed, 15-Oct 3 p.m. ET
C England vs Georgia         Wed, 15-Oct 5 p.m. ET
B Scotland vs Japan          Wed, 15-Oct 11 p.m. ET
A Argentina vs. Namibia      Fri, 17-Oct 11 p.m. ET Sat, 18-Oct 2 a.m. ET
B Fiji vs. USA               Sat, 18-Oct 4 p.m. ET
D Italy vs. Tonga            Sun, 19-Oct 2 a.m. ET
C Samoa vs. Uruguay          Mon, 20-Oct 12 a.m. ET
D New Zealand vs. Canada     Mon, 20-Oct 11 p.m. ET
A Australia vs. Romania      Tue, 21-Oct 5 p.m. ET
C South Africa vs. England   Tue, 21-Oct 11 p.m. ET
B France vs. Japan           Wed, 22-Oct 2 a.m. ET
D Wales vs. Tonga            Wed, 22-Oct 5 p.m. ET
A Ireland vs. Namibia        Wed, 22-Oct 11 p.m. ET
C Georgia vs. Samoa          Thu, 23-Oct 2 a.m. ET
B Scotland vs. USA           Thu, 23-Oct 11 p.m. ET
D Italy vs. Canada           Fri, 24-Oct 8 p.m. ET
A Argentina vs. Romania      Sat, 25-Oct 4 p.m. ET
B Fiji vs. Japan             Mon, 27-Oct 2 a.m. ET
D New Zealand vs. Tonga      Mon, 27-Oct 8 p.m. ET
C South Africa vs. Georgia   Mon, 27-Oct 11 p.m. ET
A Australia vs. Namibia      Tue, 28-Oct 5 p.m. ET
B France vs. Scotland        Tue, 28-Oct 11 p.m. ET
D Italy vs. Wales            Wed, 29-Oct 2 a.m. ET
C England vs. Samoa          Wed, 29-Oct 11 p.m. ET
A Argentina vs. Ireland      Thu, 30-Oct 2 a.m. ET
B Japan vs. USA              Thu, 30-Oct 11 p.m. ET
C Georgia vs. Uruguay        Fri, 31-Oct 8 p.m. ET
D Canada vs. Tonga           Sat, 01-Nov 4 p.m. ET
A Namibia vs. Romania        Mon, 03-Nov 12 a.m. ET
B France vs. USA             Mon, 03-Nov 5 p.m. ET
B Scotland vs. Fiji          Tue, 04-Nov 5 p.m. ET
A Australia vs. Ireland      Tue, 04-Nov 11 p.m. ET Mon, 10-Nov 2 a.m. ET
C South Africa vs. Samoa     Wed, 05-Nov 2 a.m. ET
C England vs. Uruguay        Wed, 05-Nov 5 p.m. ET
D New Zealand vs. Wales      Thu, 06-Nov 11 p.m. ET
Quarter Final 1 -            Tue, 11-Nov 8 p.m. ET Sun, 16-Nov 11:30 a.m. ET
(Winner D vs. Runner up C)
Quarter Final 2 -            Tue, 11-Nov 11 p.m. ET Sat, 15-Nov 12 a.m. ET
(Winner A vs. Runner up B)
Quarter Final 3 -            Wed, 12-Nov 8 p.m. ET Sat, 15-Nov 2 a.m. ET
(Winner B vs. Runner up A)
Quarter Final 4 -            Wed, 12-Nov 11 p.m. ET Sun, 16-Nov 2 a.m. ET
(Winner C vs. Runner up D)
Semi Final 1 -               Tue, 18-Nov 8 p.m. ET Tue, 18-Nov 11 p.m. ET
(Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF2)
Semi Final 2 -               Wed, 19-Nov 8 p.m. ET Thu, 20-Nov 2 a.m. ET
(Winner QF3 vs. Winner QF4)
3rd Place match              Sun, 23-Nov 12 a.m. ET Mon, 24-Nov 8 p.m. ET
FINAL                        Tue, 25-Nov 8 p.m. ET Thu, 27-Nov 11 p.m. ET