Tomahawks set their sights on Victory

The USA Tomahawks will return to Moscow in May to take part in the Victory Cup, a four nation tournament between, Russia, France, BARLA (England Amateurs), and the USA.

The meeting of the four nations will be an historic occasion to celebrate V-Day from world War II. The tournament will be organized over two rounds, with the first matches scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 between; France and Barla (England) and the USA and Russia. The winners will move through to the Victory Cup Final on Friday, May 9 and the two remaining teams will play a consolation final as a curtain raiser to the main event. All games will be played at the historic Luzniki Stadium, site of the 1980 Olympic Games with television coverage provided by BBS, Eurovision and Euronews.

The return to Moscow by the USA Tomahawks is of tremendous significance given the current situation in the middle east, and the presence of the American National Team will create significant interest in the tournament globally.

Although soundly beaten by a well performed Russian Bears last September in Moscow, the Tomahawks have shown tremendous improvement after that encounter having learned much on their tour of Australia in February which was demonstrated in the recent victory over the Ireland Wolfhounds in Philadelphia. The exciting occasion of the Victory Cup and the opportunity to redeem some lost pride should be motivation enough for the Tomahawks to provide tough opposition for the Bears in this coming match.

The Tomahawks will be without a number of regular players due to work commitments, those being Jeff Preston, Ed Woodbridge, Greg Stelutti, Justin Zadnik and Coach Bill Hansbury.

Joining the squad will be team manager Bill Horan and Bulls star Shayne Mains who both missed the tour of Australia with the arrival of new borns, exciting young Knights hooker Gareth Baxendale, and veteran Tomahawks International Marcus Vassilakopoulos who has joined the Glen Mills Bulls moving permanently to the USA. Also coming in to the squad will be experienced backline speedsters Loren Broussard from Arizona and Vea Ofa, the former University of Utah defensive back, both of whom are currently instrumental in the development of the Western AMNRL.

The USA Tomahawks Squad to Russia for the Victory Cup is:

Team Management:
David Niu - Coach
Bill Horan - Manager
Fred Gruhler - Trainer

Team Players:
Martin O'Donoghue - DC Slayers
Rich Portale - Wildcats
Danny Bull - Wildcats
Cory Sheridan - Bulls
Loren Broussard - Arizona
Vea Ofa - Utah
Kevin Deal - Bulls
Mike Mulvihill - Wildcats
Ryan Blake - Mantarays
Marcus Vassilakopoulos - Bulls
Mike Edwards - Bulls
Christian Rahui - Knights
Dave Divalerio - Mantarays
Shayne Mains - Bulls
Rob Balachandran - Knights
Zac Padgett - Sharks
Gareth Baxendale - Knights.

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