NYAC edged the Chicago Lions 8-5 in wet and windy conditions in Chicagoland.

It was one try apiece, the difference being a penalty goal to the New York AC. NYAC led 8-0 at halftime in a very defensive oriented match, mainly due to the conditions, and while the Lions got over the tryline in the second frame, they couldn’t find a way to do much more.

The Lions did earn a valuable bonus point, however, for keeping the final margin to within seven points.

“What can you say about an 8-5 game,” NYAC head coach Mike Tolkin told ARN. “It wasn’t very pretty, but we got the win on the road and the number 1 seed. It was also the first time that we’ve beaten the Lions, so that was pleasing.”

In other White Conference games, the Dallas Harlequins beat Philadelphia-Whitemarsh 31-5, while the scheduled match between the Boston Irish Wolfhounds and Washington was cancelled.

Reigning champs Belmont Shore dented OMBAC’s playoff aspirations with a 28-17 win at home in Long Beach, CA, in the Red Conference.

Elsewhere in the conference, San Francisco Golden Gate belted Santa Monica 70-10, while the Denver Barbarians stayed the course with a 96-21 pummeling of Old Puget Sound Beach.

In the Blue Conference, Charlotte ran in four second half tries to battle back for a solid 38-18 victory against a very game St Louis Bombers side. Charlotte wing Setareki Tuilevuka and veteran flyhalf Craig Errington stood out for the visitors, who put together a brilliant 20 minute span in the second half to claim the victory.

In what was perhaps the surprise result of Week 8, PAC and Boston played out a 20-20 tie. Boston, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest improvers this season, remains the only unbeaten team in the League, although they’ve now tied twice.

In the other conference matchup, Old Blue got by the Chicago Griffins 22-15. The Griffins and Charlotte are due to play a make-up game next week.