The Fight Open Against The JAX
Philadelphia Fight Rugby News and Press
May 31, 2008
All photos courtesy of Marvin Dangerfield Photography.
A massive down pour that began moments before the start of the AMNRL season didn't dampen the spirits of the mighty Philadelphia Fight prior to their season opener against the Jacksonville Axemen from Florida. The venue for the opening game was the Fight's magnificent home ground at Farrell Stadium, West Chester University.
The ground, including modern locker-rooms, facilities & stands for spectators & a new look playing outfit, thanks to the generosity of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans, were just the highlights of the excitement that the Fight players, staff, family, friends & onlookersfelt as they stood proudly for the National Anthem prior to the commencement of the game. Proudest of all would have been the Fight's most seasoned player & CEO, Ryan McGough. Beside him & no less proud was major sponsor & Board member Keith McLean, Director of Football Operations & Assistant Coach, David Bowe, Chairman & Coach, Peter Illfield & on the field, Club Captain Alan Chmielewski, past players Pat Kelly, Mike Kelly, Patrick Cox, Ryan Quay, Shaun Quay, Brad Kielinski & Andrew Tully. Along with them were 12 new players to the club, standing tall & proud for their first game. The match was the culmination of months of continuous hard work by CEO, Ryan McGough, to bring together the essence of a beleaguered Rugby League club that after a competitive 10year history in the AMNRL needed to reinvent itself to become a renewed force in its eleventh season. Saturday showed they are well & truly on the road to success. Success isn't always measured by the result on the score board. Captain & five-eight, Alan Chmielewski, showed the spirit of the Fight by leading from the front all day. Alan was always trying something & never gave up even though frustrated by the wet conditions & the inexperience of the team. With 7 new players taking the field to start the game, the Fight were gallant in being defeated by the Axemen 8 - 36. With very little or no Rugby League experience, the new players excelled during the day. They were supported as much as possible by veterans Chmielewski, Ryan McGough, Pat Kelly, Patrick Cox & the agile & lively Mike Kelly. A newcomer to Rugby League & the Philadelphia Fight, Dave Wilmore wearing number 9, played in a mood reflecting his US Marine training. He had a never-give-up attitude & a tenacious game, appearing to tackle everybody in notching up some 40 tackles & continually running strong with the ball. He earned himself the Coach's Most Valuable Player award. Pat Kelly had a ferocious game form his right-wing in the number 2 jumper. He continually harassed the Axemen, with & without the ball. His brother Mike opened his book of skills attempting to crack the Axemen's defensive line on many occasions. He played it up to the opposition & tried in vain to rally those around him. Unfortunately the wet & blustery weather combined with the first hit-out for the team didn't provide the best results. James Coleman, at Prop Forward in number 10, had a strong performance for his first game of Rugby League. He never took a backward step with the ball, burrowing his way into the defense & being a strong defender. Former Buck's County Sharks player, Joe Bascelli, also at Prop, had a powerful game continually taking the ball up to the opposition. The experienced Patrick Cox, playing on the left-wing, and newcomers Joe Henson, left Second Row, & Dave Minarcik at left Center, defended well & denied the Axemen many times down their side of the field. Cox showed a safe pair of hands on the occasions he fielded kicks & ran the ball from dummy-half. Minarcik injected himself into the game many times, in both defense & attack, & showed he will be a valued player for the Fight. Henson was more than competent for his first game & showed lots of enthusiasm to get involved whenever he could. Ryan Quay, interchanging between Prop & Second-Row during the game, supported his team-mates well with excellent ball running & strong defense. His Brother Shaun also interchanged with the forwards & showed lots of potential. The two try-scorers for the Fight were full-back, Ryan McGough & lock, Brad Kielinski. McGough, had some difficulty in the wet conditions, tried his hardest & had a destructive impact on the defense when he hit the line. Brad Kielinski, finally got an excellent result after being on the hunt all day for the right opportunity to show his attacking skills. The Philadelphia Fight has re-established itself as an identity in the AMNRL & although not quite rising to the occasion for a victory this time will improve in the weeks to come.
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