THE Dyno Nobel Queensland Outback Barbarians have again overcome the extreme physicality of US rugby to convincingly beat Boca Raton in Florida.
Despite a run away 61-0 scoreline, the Outback Barbas faced plenty of big hits and hard running from the Buccaneers in the hot and humid conditions.
From the kick off the Barbas were assured of a tough night. It was only went flying winger Dudley Miles intercepted 40m out to score under the posts that fortunes began to turn in favour of the tourists.
Seven minutes later on the back of a penalty at the line out, centre Colby Mason recycled the ball to No.10 Andrew Kennedy, who delivered a sweet cut out pass to David West who scored in the corner.
The Buccaneers again dug in, but couldn’t crack the Barbas scrambling defensive line. At the 27th minute the tourists won the scrum and drove forward, which resulted in a push over try to Cameron Knights.
Seven minutes later the Outback Barbas were again on the attack with a deft kick by Andrew Kennedy. Colby Mason seized on a spilled ball by the Buccaneers and popped a pass to a tear away winger Adam Conway, who score under the posts for a 28-0 halftime.
After the restart, possession continued to change hands. Through a Boca mistake the ball was snapped up by Andrew Kennedy, who split the defense and scored left of uprights.
The heat and fatigue began to take its toll resulting in some sloppy play between both sides.
However, the outback boys were the first to compose themselves. Andrew Kennedy flicked another sensational inside ball to David West who swerved into the corner.
Some 10 minutes later substitute fullback and man of the match Ethan Hoffman split the defense to score beneath the posts.
More sloppy play followed. Substitute flyhalf Adam Ebert picked up up a ball from the lineout and shot an inside ball to Dudley Miles who scored underneath the posts. His own drop kick made it 54-0.
The Outback Barbarians controlled the play for the rest of the match. Adam Conway was on the end of a beautiful backline movement to run around and score under the posts.
Impressive performances were all over the field. Standouts included John Moloney, Scott Holloway, Jasper Brigden, Barney Watts, Tubby Heron, Sam Fairweather, and a back-to-form Andrew Kliese.
The Outback Barbarians next play the Birmingham Vulcans in Alabama on June 6.
Queensland Country Life’s Mark Phelps is traveling with the team.
