Fight Prop Matt Webster rocks a DC Slayer at the USARL 9s
The 8 East Philadelphia Fight crushed the Rhode Island Rebellion in their opening match of the inaugural USA Rugby League regular season in Providence, 46-4.
Great start by the 8 East Fight in their quest for the USARL inaugural title!
"It was hard to pick an MVP because everyone played so well in Saturday's 46-4 win over Rhode Island Rebellion in the Fight's opening game of the 2011 USARL season.
For his non-stop commitment in defense and his overall support in attack, Corporal Dave Wilmore was the Coach's choice. Starting the game at lock and filling in at hooker when Captain Ryan Douglas was off the field in the 3rd quarter, Wilmore stuck to his duty as the Fight's ferocious defender and runner of the ball.
Patrick Quirk put in an equally tremendous effort with 2 tries and two try-saving tackles at fullback. Other try scorers were five-eighth Rich Henson, centre Larry Madden, Ryan Douglas, replacement centre and second-row Kevin Wiggins, winger Mike 'Squirrel' Timpano, winger Jared Frymoyer, halfback & Aussie import Joel Weeks. Weeks also kicked 5 goals from 9 attempts.
The Fight controlled the game from the onset getting out to a handy 18-0 lead at quarter-time, progressing to 32-0 by half-time. They were well fired up after their 5-1/2hr drive from Philly to Providence, RI.
Douglas, returning to his Captain's role from the 2009 season, had a high work rate and lead his charges well, even though his timing and effect in defense was a little awry and his work from dummy-half was jaded by over enthusiastic opposition markers. Centre, Brad Kielinski fell foul of a twisted knee in the first quarter. His replacement Wiggins did a fine job running the ball out wide and causing the Rebellion plenty of headaches with his tackling.
Aussie newcomers to the Fight, half-back Weeks and prop-forward, Matt Webster, played well and within themselves. When the going gets tough in the coming weeks, these two will shine above the opposition. Weeks' control of play for his outside runners and his kicking in general play was a major factor for the Fight finding themselves in good attacking positions. Webster rallied his forwards and found second-row Joe Bascelli and prop James Coleman putting in some of their best performances for the Fight.
Rich Henson played another fine game at five-eighth with some outstanding tackling and running of the ball around the rucks. He too set up his outside runners to capitalize on, at times, a fragile Rebellion defense.
Wingers, Frymoyer (Fry) and Timpano (Squirrel) were solid in doing their job and were rewarded with a try each. Larry Madden overcame a foot injury to play and his decisive running had him behind the opposition defense plenty of times, getting over for a 4-pointer as well.
Young new comers to Rugby League and the Fight, Thomas Madden & Kane Britton had stints on the wings in the 3rd quarter and although nervous, didn't disappoint. They were well encouraged by the more senior players and both will gain much needed experience in the coming season.
The Fight's next encounter against the second Boston team, Oneida, will see their other Aussie import, fullback/centre, Sean Staunton in action.
Even though it's early season, our first up performance and win provides an atmosphere of excitement for the season ahead and the prospects of an inaugural USARL Championship."
Fight try scorers as follows:
