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The weather was partly sunny with a stiff, variable breeze and a temperature in the low 50's. Abb Greenleaf refereed the 12:00 game between Syracuse and Finger Lakes. Bill Connolly refed the 2:00 game between South Buffalo and Lockport.
Syracuse 18, Finger Lakes 0
In the first half it appeared that Syracuse would run away with this game as they relentlessly pressured Finger Lakes, keeping the ball in their opponents end for most of the half. Mishandling and mistakes prevented them from scoring until 10 minutes before the half when Bob Koller notched a penalty kick. Finger Lakes did generate a few chances, missing a penalty kick and driving to the Syracuse goal line just before the whistle, only to lose possession and have the ball cleared. The score at halftime was 3-0, Syracuse.
Syracuse did not let down in the second half, immediately gaining field position from the kickoff. It was then that Greg Snyder broke free for a converted try off a misdirection play initiated from a ruck. Finger Lakes brought the ball inside the Syracuse 25m line on a couple occassions, but couldn't finish. Koller kicked another penalty, but the game was over when Casey Mastine retrieved an errant clearing kick 40 meters out from the Finger Lakes goal line and ran by everyone for an unconverted try.
Lockport 12, South Buffalo 10
South Buffalo got on the board first with an early penalty kick but missed two more, allowing Lockport to take the lead when they scored an unconverted try off a shanked clearing kick. During the game, it was apparent that South Buffalo clearly had the advantage of size and speed, but they committed numerous handling errors contrasted by Lockport's disciplined, methodical approach. Lockport took a 12-3 lead in the second half with a converted try when their 300+/- pound prop busted over the line off a penalty play. South Buffalo made it interesting when their big, red-haired prop broke away and rambled some 50 meters or so for a converted try to make the score 12-10.
Towards the end South Buffalo played with heart and intensity to try to overcome the deficit, but they were ultimately undone by their ballhandling difficulties.
Syracuse and Lockport play today at noon to decide the championship.