The 2002 US Rugby Super League season has opened with a bang, highlighted by an unexpected result, a couple of nail biters and some blowouts.

Belmont Shore takes the honors for racking up the biggest score in week one by belting Olympic Old Blues 79-10. Playing in almost gale force winds at the California Maritime Academy in the Bay Area, the Los Angeles based team was too fast and too strong for the homeside. Shore scored 31 points in the first half and added another 48 in the second stanza with the wind.

"We played very well," said Belmont Shore president Doug Pye. "Olympic Old Blues never gave up and provided stern opposition on a day when everything went Belmont's way. Mike Hercus (flyhalf) and Matty Webber (Captain) played great for us, as did our tight five."

Still on the west coast, San Diego side OMBAC hosted the Dallas Harlequins at the Little Q and the game went down to the wire. In gusty conditions, Dallas took an early lead and enjoyed an 8 point buffer at halftime, then with the wind at their backs, OMBAC fought back to level the scores at 21 apiece midway through the second half.

OMBAC scored the go ahead try with about five minutes remaining to win 26-21, although the Quins were down to fourteen men because of a yellow card. "Just like last year, it was a very close game," said OMBAC spokesman Mike Tracy. "For opening day it wasn't bad, but both teams still have plenty to do."

Dallas coach Mark McCloy added that it could've gone either way, "On the last play of the game our lock Corne Cronje was held up over the line. They cleared it from there and that was the game."

Over on the east coast, the Potomac Athletic Club hosted Philadelphia-Whitemarsh in a game many thought Philly would win. However, PAC didn't read the script and posted a 53-10 victory. Six tries on the day and 23 points to PAC kicker Mike Fabling told the story.

Club president Tom Lyons noted that momentum swung PAC's way right on halftime when flanker Mark Crick chased down a blocked clearing kick to score, "It's a great result and a great way to open the season."

Further north, Old Blue New York took on the visiting Washington RFC in the Bronx and the New Yorkers were ruthless, registering a 25-0 whitewash. OBNY earned a bonus point notching four tries. Old Blue president Colin Kiley said his team made life difficult for the visitors all day, "Washington had trouble generating offense. They had to kick a lot, allowing us to counter attack."

In the final match of the opening round, Life University hosted League new boys the New York Athletic Club in a night game in Atlanta. It proved to be the tightest contest of the lot, with Life sneaking home 20-19. The Running Eagles led 11-0 at the break, but had to withstand a NYAC onslaught in the second half.

"We were extremely lucky," said Life head coach Mel Smith. "They could so easily have won. They outscored us three tries to one and normally that would've been enough to win."

NYAC coach Mike Tolkin said his team is pumped to be in the League, "We feel great. We played with a lot of confidence and matched it with the big boys. We have to work harder, but this game gave us a huge boost."