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The Ohio Aviators put a major dent in San Diego’s plans for a title hunt with a resounding 55-29 victory at Memorial Park in Obetz on Sunday. Two tries each for powerhouse wingers Alex Elkins and Spike David and a hat trick on debut for English centre Dom Waldouck led the way as the Breakers defense simply could not contain Ohio’s big ball runners.
Waldouck was flying out of the gates for the Aviators, scoring with his first touch of the ball in Ohio colors. It was Davis who made it happen, following up a long kick ahead and offloading to his midfielder in support for a cracking start. Robbie Shaw converted and added a penalty to give the home side a 10-point buffer before the Breakers got into the game.
Kurt Morath finally cut into the lead on the quarter mark, but it wasn’t long before Elkins made his presence felt on the left wing, smashing past defenders to score his first. Kalei Konrad replied in rapid fashion on the back of some good phase play from the visitors, but Elkins again made his considerable presence felt, finishing a huge run down the sideline for a demoralising score on a counter-attack.
A cute grubber from Morath ended in the hands of Ben Leatigaga, who crossed to give San Diego some hope only for Davis to take it away. After some pointed attacks up the middle the ball went wide to Davis who crossed with ease to end a good half for the home team.
Waldouck was on the receiving end of another terrific break from the Aviators on the other side of the break. Tall South African no8 Riekert Hattingh, also enjoying his PRO debut, popped the ball off the deck to Ahmad Harajly, and the strapping center, on for injured Matt Hughston, put a lovely pass back inside to his new midfield mate to pour water on any flames hopeful of firing San Diego.
Taylor Howden sold an audacious dummy to score before Waldouck added his third and finally Davis his second as Ohio completed the rout. Late tries for Leatigaga again and Zach Pangelinan were only academic with the Aviators on cruise control and an insurmountable lead.
The win is music to the ears of Denver, who are now five points ahead of both Ohio and San Diego with a game at hand. San Diego limp home to host a resurgent San Francisco, and will likely have to contend without Cecil Garber and Andrew Suniula, both of whom game off injured in the first half. Ohio travel to Denver in a make-or-break match against the top seeds, and will themselves almost certainly be absent Matt Hughston, who suffered a jaw injury that could threaten the remainder of his season.
OHIO 55
Tries – D. Waldouck 3 (4, 42, 66), A. Elkins 2 (22, 32), S. Davis 2 (40, 75), T. Howden (64)
Cons – R. Shaw 3 (5, 23, 43), S. Davies 3 (65, 67, 76)
Pens – R. Shaw (12)
Yellow cards – J. Mackintosh (24)
SAN DIEGO 29
Tries – K. Konrad (25), B. Leatigaga 2 (36, 78), Z. Pangelinan (80)
Cons – K. Morath 3 (26, 37, 80)
Pens – K. Morath (20)
Yellow cards – P. Haitsuka (24)
OHIO AVIATORS
1 Jamie Mackintosh 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Demecus Beach 4 Pierce Dargan 5 Ryan McTiernan 6 Filippo Ferrarini 7 Sebastián Kalm 8 Riekert Hattingh 9 Robbie Shaw (capt.) 10 Tyler Howden 11 Alex Elkins 12 Matt Hughston 13 Dominic Waldouck 14 Spike Davis 15 Allan Hanson
16 Peter Malcolm 17 Derrek van Klein 18 Dominic Pezzutti 19 Zach Stryffeler 20 Ahmad Harajly 21 Shaun Davies 22 Chris Kunkel 23 Ryan Cochran
SAN DIEGO BREAKERS
1 Mason Pedersen 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai 3 Epeli Kalemani 4 Nikola Bursic 5 Tai Tuisamoa 6 Chris Turori 7 Cecil Garber 8 Sione Tu’ihalamaka 9 Charlie Purdon 10 Kurt Morath (capt.) 11 Tim Stanfill 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Pono Haitsuka 15 Kalei Konrad
16 Kakalea Pule 17 Brice Schilling 18 Ian Carpenter 19 David Dolinar 20 Bruce Thomas 21 Zach Pangelinan 22 Arnold Meredith 23 Ben Leatigaga
Referee: Kurt Weaver
Assistants: Leah Berard & Marc Nelson
