USA struggle in opening 2 games Down Under

The USA National 2003 Tour of Australia got off to a disappointing start as they suffered a heart breaking loss to the Australian National Police followed by a disappointing performance against a well prepared Newtown Jets Team.

The Tomahawks struggling after a 22 Hour flight from the USA East Coast did well to backup and play a determined National Police Side only after arriving in Australia that morning. Both Teams played a psychical game that produced some bruising tackles entertaining the small crowd. The Tomahawks took the lead after a brilliant step by winger Jason Hardy saw him in open space and race 50 yards to score under the posts. The Police were quick to answer after a tired USA defense and the teams went into the break with the Tomahawks leading 6 points to 4.

After the break it was again winger Jason Hardy that produced the Tomahawks second try and the weary visitors looked like the tour would get off to a positive start. That quickly changed after some questionable referring by Doug Keen saw the police handed 6 penalties in a row that ultimately resulted in easy points for the Police and the sending off of Marcus Vassilakopoulos after his suggestions on the referees relationship with the home side. With only minutes remaining a visibly drained USA team offered no answer as the Aussies strolled over for a simple try to seal the game 12 - 10. After the match, the Australian National Police coach spoke to the USA in the locker room apologizing from some of the decisions handed to them but also complemented them on the vast improvement from the side that last toured in 2000.

It was 2 days later that USA had were on display in front the best crowd that Newtown community have seen in over a decade. It was clear before the game, the Tomahawks were still backing up from their hard fought encounter with the police and could do with a few more days rest while also adjusting to the time difference. A well prepared and coached Newtown Jets side showed the difference in what that meant as they scored a whopping 36 Points in the first 20 minutes to leave the visibly USA stunned as to what it would take to get through the next three quarters. To their credit they never gave up and played with an intensity that created a some good scoring opportunities that fell short through simple mistakes.

The USA Tomahawks can take considerable heart from the match, especially in view of the fierce resolve they showed in defense in the second half. Remember they were up against a squad that has been training four nights a week since early November, and one that is a highly competitive playing unit in Australia’s second best Rugby League competition. The Tomahawks will be sure to take away valuable lessons that can be applied in their expanding domestic competition.

USA skipper Jeff Preston admitted that the Tomahawks were overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of the Jets’ opening quarter and by the oppressive humidity, but he was very proud of his team’s spirited fightback

NEWTOWN 68: Alf Duncan 2, Wissiam El Masri 2, Luke Hession 2, Scott McLean 2, Aaron Trinder 2, Troy Barnes, Taffy Nicolas, Trevor Schodel, Ben Tickle tries; McLean 5, Duncan goals.

USA TOMAHAWKS 6: Danny Bull try, Mike Mulvihill goal.

Half-Time: Newtown led 46-6.
Attendance: 2,170.
Referees: Phil Dorahy, Tony De Las Heras.

USA Tomahawks are proudly sponsored by:

Photographer: John Maricic: john.maricic@bigpond.com.au
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