Fight's Nathan Roach
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“It’s better than what I expected,” Aston's former Queensland State of Origin utility back Daniel Wagon told ARN when asked about the standard of the game stateside. “In another couple of weeks I’ll be match fit.”
Wagon was playing just his second match in the US. He scored a try on debut last week and played well again Saturday.
New expansion team the Pittsburgh Vipers traveled to Virginia with only 14 players where they played their first ever game against the Fairfax Eagles and came off second best going down 80-4. Steven Karlovec scored their first and only points.
The Vipers played hard through the first quarter, but their inexperience was the big difference.
For the Eagles, John Young scored a hat-trick, while American-born prop Phantom Prompol turned in a solid performance in just his second game of rugby league.
“We didn’t play well last week and it all kind of came together today,” said Fairfax president Steve Grant.
Further north in Boston, the hometown 13s put up another good showing although it wasn’t enough to stop 2009 Grand Finalists the Jacksonville Axemen from notching their second straight W with a 34-16 victory.
And the Philadelphia Fight bounced back from their narrow loss to the Bulls last week by shutting out the Northern Raiders 76-0.
The Fight racked up 14 tries, including doubles by Patrick Quirk, James Brunson, Brad Kielinski and James Perry, plus singles to Tim Kilminster, Sal Ranniello, Phil Shipos, Zack Padgett, Nathan Roach and Rich Henson. Michael Princic was 10-for-13 on conversions.
Philly captain Kielinski was voted MVP for showing strong leadership on defense and for continuously breaking the line on attack.
“It was a fine effort by the lads,” Fight coach Peter Illfield told ARN. “We’re on the improve with the new guys on the team and our attacking skills will only improve in the next week or two.”
The New Haven Warriors are scheduled to host defending AMNRL champs the New York Knights on Sunday.
Standings (unofficial):
Jacksonville Axemen (2-0) 10pts
New Haven Warriors (2-0) 10pts
Aston DSC Bulls (2-0) 10pts
Philadelphia Fight (1-1) 6pts
New York Knights (1-1) 6pts
Fairfax Eagles (1-1) 5pts
Washington DC Slayers (0-1) 1pt
Connecticut Wildcats (0-1) 1pt
Pittsburgh Vipers (0-1) 0pts
Northern Raiders (0-1) 0pts
Boston 13s (0-2) 0pts
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