Twelve-man AUB routed USJ on Saturday lunchtime, leapfrogging Balamand into second in the table and setting up a mouthwatering first versus second clash next week against the Immortals of LAU. Reduced to twelve after Mohamed Tawil’s trip in the first half, the Wolves easily put paid to a USJ Saints side that, as per usual, started spiritedly, benefiting from a first half penalty count of 10-4 and eighty per cent completion rate, before, as per usual, imploding. But victory came at a price with the loss of fullback Wael Harb with a hamstring injury. The Corniche-siders’ chief strike weapon had already added to his incredible league-leading mark of 17 tries, busting through USJ’s three-quarters from a scrum in the 7^th minute to open the scoring before being carried off the field. Coach Mikhael Shammas will be anxiously hoping for good news from AUB’s medical staff as the Wolves march towards post-season.

Harb’s go-ahead score should have been an equalizer, had USJ centre Hanna Hajjar not knocked on in the act of scoring in the early exchanges. His fullback, Christian Nadir, also squandered possession on AUB’s goal-line as the Saints found new ways to blow scoring opportunities. Boom prop Elie Gharios, who terrorized AUB every time he got the ball, scored his second of the season to level matters on 15 minutes but then disaster struck as both he and lock Danny Kazandjian were forced to leave the field, injured, with only the latter returning for the final ten minutes with victory securely in AUB’s grasp. Hard working hooker Rony Akel scooted over from acting halfback to give USJ a 21^st minute lead, but two more tries gave AUB an 18-10 lead at halftime, with Irish stand-off Daniel Eagen perfect with the boot.

Lively scrum half Anthony Ghossein cocked a snook at selectors who had snubbed him for Lebanon’s rep squad, scoring a 44^th minute try in a polished all-round display, dousing any chances of a USJ fight-back. Two more tries in the final 10-minutes extended the lead, adding to AUB’s point difference which may be a factor come May.