A great night at the Wachovia Center for the Fight!
Philadelphia Fight Rugby News and Press
April 7, 2010
Saturday April 3 2010, Rugby League, namely the PBR Philadelphia Fight, went indoors for the first time in the USA at the Wachovia Center, Philadelphia. In conjunction with the Philadelphia Wings Lacrosse franchise, the exhibition match against the Fairfax Eagles from Virginia was held to help raise spectator numbers for the Wings and arouse awareness of Rugby League in Philadelphia.
The first three photos courtesy of Jennifer Stephens Bentley Photography. In front of 10,100 people glued to their seats in expectation, the game was played on astro-turf and confined within walls more familiar with Lacrosse & Ice Hockey, providing an exciting cauldron for the bruising encounter. Not only bruising, blood was spilled freely from a head wound when two Fight players collided unintentionally, resulting in one of them leaving the field. The match was played in 2 short and intense 10 min segments. It provided plenty of spills and thrills, big defensive hits and powerful running. The excited spectators let out plenty of oohs and aahs in response to watching the best collision sport in the world in such a confined area. On hand to support the players and add excitement to the event was the Philadelphia Fight Vixen's cheer squad and dance team. The Vixens help promote the Fight's sponsors, namely Pabst-PBR, Vitamin Water, Kildare's Irish Pub Manayunk, Herr's and Conshohocken Health & Fitness Club. At the conclusion of the match, amid the excitement, the players gathered center field where they presented Jeff Preston as the inaugural member of the Philadelphia Fight Hall of Fame. The presentation was followed by player and Board member Tony Rollz getting down on one knee and proposing to his girlfriend (she accepted) now fiancee. Congratulations Rollz! The success of this exhibition match is just a small part of the Philadelphia Fight and the American National Rugby League (AMNRL)'s efforts to increase participation and awareness, and present Rugby League to more people in the USA. An encouraging 31 players presented themselves at practice to be available for the match. Unfortunately, not all could be accommodated. With that type of response at this time of the year, the Fight is looking forward to a very prosperous year.
