Suspense still abounds as the book nears closing on MLR's regular season. As the 2000 campaign enters its penultimate weekend only two of eight Tri-Series Champs have been decided. This week's chapter features seven matches from Boston to Southern California that will solve much of the play-off mystery. In particular, Palmer College versus Scioto Valley for the Group Three Cup should prove a classic 'Who-won-it.'

Scioto Valley at Palmer College

It's winner take all this weekend in Iowa as Scioto Valley battles Palmer College to decide the Group Three Champion. Palmer must hope a night's sleep in their own beds will cure the ills of last week's 21-point defeat on the road against the Griffins. Poor field position was a headache for Palmer vs Chicago and Captain Darcy Brown knows a repeat of last week's one-try performance won't be enough to conquer Scioto. Scioto Valley had headaches of its own against the Griffins two weeks ago, eking out a one-point victory, largely off the surgical precision of flyhalf Jamie McKee's boot. McKee scored 11 of Scioto's 16 points in a 16-15 thriller. The doctor will be in the house this weekend but a win for the visitors is far from assured. Palmer bested Scioto Valley in Ohio, 31-24, on September 1st.

NYAC at NOVA

NOVA can clinch the Group Two Title with a win against NYAC (Winged Foot) but may be listing a bit after an upset loss to the Harlequins in Pittsburgh. They must right the ship at home this weekend against NYAC, last year's MLR Plate Champion. If NYAC wins by more than seven points they are guaranteed no less than a tie for first in Group Two with a match in hand. NOVA doubled up NYAC 44-22 in their first meeting on September 11th.

Montauk at Mystic River

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be no love lost between Montauk and Mystic River, who do battle for the second time in as many weeks. Montauk won at home on March 25th by a score of 31-17 in a match made ugly by poor handling from both teams. Montauk has the most to gain here as a win and a bonus point will lock up the Cup in Group One. The visitors must regain composure after surrendering ten points in the final twenty minutes of last week's 24-17 loss to White Plains. A win for Mystic River would provide no worse than a tie for second place with White Plains.

Huntington Beach at Back Bay

The Unicorns cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway to face Back Bay in a battle for rugby supremacy on the beaches of Southern California. Back Bay is winless in three MLR matches with only a point to show on the Group Eight Table and the Barracudas would like nothing better than to kick sand in the bully's face with an upset victory. It won't be easy against the Cliff Vogl-led Unicorns, who can leapfrog the Hayward Griffins with a win and a bonus point. Huntington routed Back Bay 43-15 in their first meeting on February 26th.

Dallas at New Orleans

The Dallas Reds can wrap up the Plate in Group Six with a win in New Orleans. The Reds appear to be coming to form after an injury-ravaged spring campaign and captain Bruce Clark wants no excuses, "We were hurting, there was no doubting that, but every club suffers injuries. That's in the past and our focus is on winning the MLR Championship Plate. It's not time to pat the dog, we need to play a blinder against New Orleans to guarantee a place in the Plate play-offs." Ironically, Clark will miss the match with torn ligaments in his ankle. Winless New Orleans has battled a slew of injuries as well and has suffered growing pains in its talented but green backline. Captain Brent Dempster sees the match as "our last chance to prove we are MLR contenders." Throttled by Dallas, 51-5, on the road in October, New Orleans is a much better host, losing by only eight points to powerhouse Austin at home in the fall.

Oklahoma University at Boulder

Oklahoma proved King of the hill in its 10-8 upset victory over the Kansas Jayhawks two weeks ago. Now the Sooners must climb a mountain, literally and figuratively, as they face mighty Boulder in Colorado. Boulder annihilated the Jayhawks 72-12 in Lawrence last week, running over eleven tries on the strength of a dominating performance in loose play. And though the hosts have secured the Cup in Group Seven they don't lack for motivation, as a win this weekend will secure the right to possibly host an opening round in the Cup Championship Tournament. Oklahoma is just as keen as an upset victory would vault them over the Kansas Jayhawks on the points table, securing the plate in Group Seven.

GOATS at Kansas City RFC

Kansas City has already grabbed the Plate in Group Five but knows it must down the GOATS to ensure a hosting role in the Plate play-offs. Some doubts may linger after being on the spit of a 57-5 roasting by the Bombers two weeks ago. The winless GOATS are looking for a silver lining at the end of a cloudy season and have reason to be optimistic off a five-try day against the Bombers last week in St. Louis.