Ormskirk Heeler
Juniors
- Messages
- 15
Attempts have been made to kick start Rugby League in the Mid West of America this month. Several members of the British RL club side Ormskirk Heelers were in the Chicago area for a wedding, a select team known as the Chicago Saints was raised by former Heelers chairman Mike Featherstone who is now resident in the windy city. The game was orginally to be played on a football field however due to the last minute nature of the game play was relocated to the citys North Avenue Beach and so it was "Beach Rugby League" that came to the shore of Lake Michigan. A 9 a side scrimmage version of the game was played with two 30 minute halves, three man scrums, no kicks for goal and a pitch marked out with an area 70 x 40 yards. The game was refereed by former Great Britain students rep Andrew Armitage and attracted many interested onlookers. The home side included 2 American Nationals and 2 residents as well as a number of guest players from overseas whilst the Heelers selection included 6 players from their 2005 Rugby League Conference campaign. The game ended in 5 tries each for a score of Chicago Saints 20 Ormskirk Heelers select 20. Organisers now hope to formally introduce Rugby League to the area possibly by hosting a 7 or 9 a side tournament before the end of the year with the hope of attracting local Union clubs to enter teams. It is hoped this could be a vehicle to establishing a future summer based competition in the Mid West with the Saints acting as a representative side for the area and possibly applying to enter the AMNRL at some point in the future. Anyone interested in getting involved with Rugby League in Chicago can contact the venture at chicagosaints@hotmail.com.
Match report
Chicago Saints 20 Ormskirk Heelers 20
Chicago started well in their debut game when a Heelers mistake from the kick off and a well judged John Winder grubber kick to ingoal forced back to back drop outs and resulted in an early try for Chris Birkett who was able to scoot over untouched from dummy half. The Saints continued to control much of the early exchanges with a high completion rate and astute kicking game to keep the Heelers on the back foot. It wasn't until half way through the first half that the "tourists" threatened with a well taken Nev Jones score against the run of play. The Saints were to reply almost immediately though and elusive running from Ian Hughes in broken play took them close after Mike Featherstone's inside ball. It was this play that set up good field position for Jim Featherstone to give Gary Hughes the simplest of touchdowns and take the Saints in 8-4 up at the half.
With the advent of the second half the younger, fitter Heelers outfit came to the fore resulting in quick fire tries for Richardson from close range and Fisher galloping in from the half way line as the Chicago defence went AWOL. It looked as though the homesters would crumble as Mousley then reached over the line with three defenders on his back to put the Heelers up 8-16 however the Saints kept themselves in the game thrugh an Ian Hughes touchdown as defences tired and the game became scrappy. Any thoughts of a comeback were put on hold though as Mousley once again who was outstanding for Ormskirk throughout scored after good work from Johnson and skipper Gibson. The last 10 minutes of the game were frantic and a McGrath sin binning for kicking the ball away when the Saints had been awarded a penalty gave the home side a sniff once again. Shortlly after, Gary Hughes' massive hit on the Heelers Johnson raised the game's tempo and the Englishmen appeared rattled. From the next set of six, Featherstone kicked in to the in goal for Ian Hughes to touchdown in the corner and it was game on! As the Heelers looked to run the clock down Chicago's Ste Scott intercepted on his own line and ran virtually the length of the field before being tackled superbly by Fisher who undid his good work by holding the big man down in desperation to prevent a quick play the ball. Fisher was duly dispatched to the sin bin and from the resultant tap penalty, good hands from the Saints allowed them to utilise the now two man advantage for Brad Weber to dive spectacularly in at the corner and dramatically snatch a draw for the Saints in a grandstand finish.
MOM: Brad Weber in hs first ever game of rugby. A natural sportsman and a great advert for what RL could could unearth in American athletes.
Match report
Chicago Saints 20 Ormskirk Heelers 20
Chicago started well in their debut game when a Heelers mistake from the kick off and a well judged John Winder grubber kick to ingoal forced back to back drop outs and resulted in an early try for Chris Birkett who was able to scoot over untouched from dummy half. The Saints continued to control much of the early exchanges with a high completion rate and astute kicking game to keep the Heelers on the back foot. It wasn't until half way through the first half that the "tourists" threatened with a well taken Nev Jones score against the run of play. The Saints were to reply almost immediately though and elusive running from Ian Hughes in broken play took them close after Mike Featherstone's inside ball. It was this play that set up good field position for Jim Featherstone to give Gary Hughes the simplest of touchdowns and take the Saints in 8-4 up at the half.
With the advent of the second half the younger, fitter Heelers outfit came to the fore resulting in quick fire tries for Richardson from close range and Fisher galloping in from the half way line as the Chicago defence went AWOL. It looked as though the homesters would crumble as Mousley then reached over the line with three defenders on his back to put the Heelers up 8-16 however the Saints kept themselves in the game thrugh an Ian Hughes touchdown as defences tired and the game became scrappy. Any thoughts of a comeback were put on hold though as Mousley once again who was outstanding for Ormskirk throughout scored after good work from Johnson and skipper Gibson. The last 10 minutes of the game were frantic and a McGrath sin binning for kicking the ball away when the Saints had been awarded a penalty gave the home side a sniff once again. Shortlly after, Gary Hughes' massive hit on the Heelers Johnson raised the game's tempo and the Englishmen appeared rattled. From the next set of six, Featherstone kicked in to the in goal for Ian Hughes to touchdown in the corner and it was game on! As the Heelers looked to run the clock down Chicago's Ste Scott intercepted on his own line and ran virtually the length of the field before being tackled superbly by Fisher who undid his good work by holding the big man down in desperation to prevent a quick play the ball. Fisher was duly dispatched to the sin bin and from the resultant tap penalty, good hands from the Saints allowed them to utilise the now two man advantage for Brad Weber to dive spectacularly in at the corner and dramatically snatch a draw for the Saints in a grandstand finish.
MOM: Brad Weber in hs first ever game of rugby. A natural sportsman and a great advert for what RL could could unearth in American athletes.
