WAR AT THE SHORE XI
A HUGE SUCCESS

The American National Rugby League, WAR AT THE SHORE XI, was a huge success at Dealy Field in Sea Isle City, New Jersey this past weekend. A huge crowd of rugby league fans and local beach goers enjoyed wonderful weather and a fun day of activities for the whole family.

Kids of all ages joined in the EAGLETAG games with moms, dads and children from local families along with rugby relatives kicking off the day's entertainment with exciting running, passing and tearing flags that inspired the AMNRL teams playing after the EAGLETAG celebration.

The Aston DSC Bulls remain at the top of the table after being tested all the way by the New York Knights. The Bulls triumphed 40-28 in a game that was competitive from start to finish. It was close at halftime with the Bulls leading 18-12. Eventually Aston tallied eight tries to the Knights’ five as both teams picked up a bonus point for tries. Liam Mulhall and John Rourke each scored a brace of tries, while Blair Wards was the Bulls’ MVP.

Captain Greg Stelluti was named this year’s recipient of the Robert B Preston Memorial MVP award. The award is in honor of Robert Preston, father of dual international Jeff Preston, and a long-time fan of rugby league.

The Fairfax Eagles got by a gutsy Philadelphia Fight 34-24 in an earlier game at War at the Shore. Again, both teams picked up a bonus point for tries, the Eagles dotting down seven times and the Fight five times in strong onshore winds.

The Fight went up early when Anthony Chi scored the opening try in his debut game of rugby league. The former Dennison University (OH) student was having a blinder before breaking his wrist and leaving the game. Other Philly try-scorers included club captain Allan Chmielewsky, who’ll retire at the end of the season, Patrick Cox, John Evangelista, and James Coleman, who crossed for his first rugby league score. Mike Kelly booted two conversions.

The other fixture played as part of the War at the Shore weekend saw the Washington DC Slayers post a 48-14 victory over the Bucks County Sharks. The win put the Slayers into the top six and in line for a playoff berth.

The Eagles and DC Slayers backed up later in the day to play a makeup game that had been postponed earlier in the season. The Slayers won 28-18.

Fans were able to participate in fun skills drills all days winning prizes and learning about the great game of Rugby League.