Ohio all smiles as Denver fall

Denver have tasted defeat at last. Ohio earned their second successive blowout victory with a stunning 48-27 upheaval of the previously undefeated league leaders. The win brings the Stampede ever so slightly down to earth and creaks the door open just enough for Ohio to get a glance at the table top.

A lackluster start to the match from both sides featured just one penalty goal to Shaun Davies. As it turns out the Aviators were just warming up. Filippo Ferrarini hustled his way over the line just head of the water break on the quarter to give his side a 10 point lead. That seemed to spur Ohio, and soon Spike Davis grunted and heaved through a wall of defenders to score another remarkable individual effort.

Will Magie finally broke the duck with two well-measured penalty goals, but Ohio very quickly re-established dominance. Jamie Mackintosh was next to hammer through from close range, and Davies tacked on a penalty to go with the conversion, giving his team an overwhelming 27-6 lead at the half.

Denver found a little glimpse of light when Timana Tahu’s offload in traffic put Martin Knoetze over. It was only a fleeting moment, however, as the Aviators landed a devastating salvo with three tries in a span of seven minutes. Alex Elkins, Dom Waldouck, and Ahmad Harajly all crossed like parts on a conveyor belt and Davies topped each one off with his boot.

At 48-13, Ohio kicked their feet up for the final quarter. Zach Fenoglio and Pedrie Wannenburg found the line but the Aviators were home and dry and barely bothered. Revenge is sweet indeed and Ohio now head home with huge momentum to face a resurgent San Francisco. The Stampede will review defeat for the first time and hope to rebound against cellar-dwellers Sacramento.

DENVER 27
Tries – M. Knoetze (48), Z. Fenoglio (67), P. Wannenburg (80)
Cons – W. Magie 3 (49, 68, 80)
Pens – W. Magie 2 (27, 30)

OHIO 48
Tries – F. Ferrarini (18), S. Davis (25), J. Mackintosh (33), A. Elkins (51), D. Waldouck (54), A. Harajly (58)
Cons – S. Davies 6 (19, 26, 34, 52, 55, 59)
Pens – S. Davies 2 (12, 39)
Yellow cards – J. Mackintosh (65)

DENVER STAMPEDE
1 Nick Wallace 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Soane Leger 4 Christian Wiessing 5 Casey Rock 6 Logan Collins 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.) 9 Mose Timoteo 10 Will Magie 11 Timana Tahu 12 Ata Malifa 13 Martin Knoetze 14 Mike Garrity 15 Maximo de Achaval

16 Hanco Germishuys 17 Luke White 18 Jake Turnbull 19 Brodie Orth 20 Lynton Mare 21 Bobby Impson 22 Dustin Croy 23 Michael Al-Jiboori

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 Shaun Davies (capt.) 10 Taylor Howden 11 Alex Elkins 12 Roland Suniula 13 Dominic Waldouck 14 Spike Davis 15 Zac Mizell

16 Peter Malcolm 17 Derrek van Klein 18 Dominic Pezzutti 19 Chad Joseph 20 Allan Hanson 21 Robbie Shaw 22 Chris Kunkel 23 Ahmad Harajly

Referee: Leah Berard
Assistants: Derek Summers & Scott Green