Baker Field, New York, NY - In an exciting, action-packed match that was not decided until the final seconds, the visiting Life RFC posted a well-earned, 27-25 Super League win over Old Blue.

With Life holding a 27-20 lead 42 minutes into the second half, an Old Blue try by No. 8 Marty Veale, brought the hosts within two points of leveling the scores. The conversion by Old Blue flyhalf Ashley Moeke, however, was off the mark. The final whistle blew seconds later and Life returned to Georgia with an unblemished record.

Old Blue’s Ashley Moeke led all scorers with 15 points from a try, two conversions and two penalties, while Life center Aaron McMaster added 12 with two penalties and three conversions.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Life got on the board two minutes after the kickoff with a 30 meter penalty goal by McMaster, 3-0.

Old Blue had a chance to level the scores in the 11^th minute when the hosts were awarded a makeable penalty kick, but they chose to run the ball to no effect. A 40-meter penalty attempt by Old Blue’s Moeke hit the posts in the 14^th minute.

Old Blue took a 7-3 lead in the 17^th minute when Ashley Moeke touched down and then converted at the conclusion of an attack that originated on Life’s 25.

McMaster and Moeke exchanged penalty goals in the 36^th and 37^th minutes, with Old Blue maintaining a four-point advantage, 10-6.

Life wing Sean Van Rensburg scored a try in the 38^th minute and Aaron McMaster converted, giving the visitors a 13-10 lead as the teams went into halftime.

Old Blue regained the lead one minute after the restart when its talented flanker Derek Lipscomb touched down and Moeke converted, 17-13.

Life, responded in the 12^th minute with a try by No. 8 Cathal Doyle. McMaster’s conversion gave Life a 20-17 lead. Old Blue knotted the scores ten minutes later when Ashley Moeke’s second penalty kick hit pay dirt, 20-20.

Moeke, it must be noted, was an invaluable part of Old Blue’s game, with his field generalship, running ability and exceptional kicking for both points and position.

Life broke the tie in the 30^th minute when repeated close-in attacks on Old Blue’s line resulted in a try by Life prop Blake Bradford, 27-20.

The home side refused to fold, however, and mounted a five-minute attack on Life’s goal line that finally resulted in a try fifteen meters from touch by Old Blue No. 9 Veale. Unfortunately for the home side, Moeke’s conversion attempt was off the mark and Life was able to return to Georgia with a well earned 27-25 win.

“It was too close for comfort,” said Life Head Coach james Isaacson. “Old Blue are a much-improved side, and Ash Moeke, who I used to play with, was very good. We struggled in the lineout and that will be corrected. Overall, I’m happy to get home with the win.”

Old Blue                           Life
Joshua Williams         1      Blake Bradford
Mark Griffin              2      Steven Davis
William Brazier          3      Seth Strauss
Patrick Bradley          4      Kris Headlee
Justin Ripley              5      Tom Katzfey
Derek Lipscomb        6      Chris Truss
Harry Clouston          7      Benji Goff
Marty Veale               8      Cathal Doyle
Jorge Pizzaro             9      Brendan Thomson
Ashley Moeke           10    Benny Mateialon
Fitz-James Adams      11    Sean Van Rensburg
Dan Freed-Pastor       12    Aaron McMaster
Dominic Wareing       13    Andrew Osborne
Elliot Rechtin             14    Clint Whittler
Steve Strydom           15    Jason Bloom

Reserves
Paul Unsworth           16    James Isaacson
James Murray            17    Xander Daniels
Phillip Constantinou 18    Scotty McDonald
Abe Cohen                19    Jason Davila
Charlie Rizzo             20    Alfred Qaranivalu
Ryan Sullivan            21    Sam Anderson
Peter Jordan               22

SCORING:

Life 27
Tries: Van Rensburg, Doyle, Bradford  
Convs: McMaster 3
Pens: McMaster 2

Old Blue 25:
Tries: Moeke, Lipscomb, Veale T.
Convs: Moeke 2
Pens: Moeke 2

Referee: Tim Liscomb

TJs: Sam Rubin, Scott Reilly