With the final of the North American Rugby League on today, I thought it might be good to reflect back on the first ever game of League played by the Media Mantarays. They have now played a grand total of 6 games of League and have a chance to become champions of North America if they win their seventh, but here is a match report of their first;
Rays Shine
Not often do you have an evening where you can witness a come from behind, emotional, inspiring team victory like the Philadelphia area did with the Sixers last night. It was incredible. If however, you are a Media Rugger like myself, you were treated to TWO come from behind, emotional, inspiring team victories.
Yes Media, we WON our first ever Media League - Manta Rays match over the New Jersey Sharks (Hibernians) last evening at Elwyn.
For me it was actuallythe first League Match I had ever seen. Honestly I felt a little out of place at first. The Manta Rays were getting crushed. Jersey had way more fans so I didn't recognize anyone save Artingstall, and two media players on the sidelines. Everyone else was in the game. The game is self explanatory, but most of the rules I didn't know, so I took some pictures and thought about heading home.
Then more Media guys started to arrive. Jason, Pauly et el. The more that came, the more subs came off the field. So I had a chance to overhear several discussions. I discovered that they too didn't know the rules or how the scoring went. I was clueless, but not alone. So I stayed for the half time pep talk. Dan - "Come on you got to play harder, Get out there and HIT!!!" Then Fred - "We can win this - in this game you can score 50 points in a quarter." Hmmm I wonder. We were down 34-8 at half by the way. (games are 20 min quarters that seem to fly by)
Well, sure enough, Media started to get their act together. Hard runs by Ric Dortone. Inspiringdashes by (Super) Dave DeVelario. Slashes by Kevin Flaherty. Dan McHugh with "out of his mind" crashes right up the middle. Steady ready Fred consistently attacking. Planters tackling everything in sight. Bob Dodge even giving it his all. Everyone contributed in that second half.
The score narrowed, and with time closing Media went up 38-36. The Sharks countered and were up 40 -38 with barely a possession left. The Sharks gained possession, but the defense held on the 2 meter mark. Media then started to drive, and made it all the way for a score,and a 44-40 win. It was impressive.
Media - I am an old timer I guess. Sure I have had resistance to the "League Thing." But, you know what, it wasn't that bad. Lots of running, quick passes and tackling. Great Practice for Union. Maybe it didn't have the grandeur of a 15 a side match, but you know what, who cares? It was well worth it to seesome heart come back to Media Rugby. If this is what it takes then welcome aboard. If this carries over to the Fall - we will be fine!
Congratulations Fred, Dan, Captain Ric and the other organizers. It truly was an inspiring game for the Media Manta Ray's first ever Match. Hopefully the Manta Ray League Rugby will be part of the Media Organization as long as Wolfpack Union has.
Player of the Game - It has to be Super Dave. Just seeing him out there. Inspiring!! Great Job.
Grotz
