St. Louis University moved to 2-0 and Principia to 1-0 in the Gateway Rugby Conference.

Principia won 33-26 over Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in the Thunder Chickens’ first league game, while travel problems forced Southern Illinois to forfeit to Maryville. St. Louis, meanwhile, won 50-7 over Central Missouri.

Once again this was a tough game for Principia, and it was the same story this time, as UMKC rebounded from an early Thunder Chickens try to score three times and lead 21-7 at halftime.

But Principia inched their way back despite playing against the wind, with Larry Patterson’s big run putt him his side ahead 33-26.

St. Louis usually has a tough time against Central Missouri and despite the scoreline, seemed to this time, as well, as the UCM forwards were big and physical, and their backs could run.

SLU had difficulty maintaining possession as the UCM forwards were all kinds of problems in the rucks, forcing turnovers, slowing down ball, and forcing penalties.

But when the Billikens did get possession, their backs scored, and the SLU lineout stole enough ball to give the backline a platform from which to attack.

“They were knocking on the door several times but the SLU defense was able to hold,” said SLU Head Coach Justin Whitton. “In the second half fitness seemed to be the difference.”

That’s when SLU turned a 15-0 lead into a 50-7 victory.

UCM has talent and if they can reproduce that first half for a full game, they should be in good shape, But the St. Louis team seemed fitter and certainly able to get tries from less-than-ideal possession.

But now it comes down, already, to the Big Game, as Principia hosts St. Louis next week in Elsah, Ill. That game could well be the conference decider.

Unofficial standings