NEWS
Knights Dust Raiders in Upstate BarnstormerJune 30, 2007 Raiders Field Wallkill, NY
The New York Knights Rugby League Football Club throttled The Northern Raiders this past Saturday 38 - 4 in a scene that was reminiscent of a World War I battle. The Raider's pitch, located right next to Wallkill airport, had both planes landing and taking off as the two clubs duked it out. This combined with a turf that was mostly made up of a coarse hay like grass and a series of hills and gullies that mimicked trenches, made for an injurious and, at times, comical game.
"At one point I had to stop play as a propeller plane taxied for take off" commented Robert Balachandran, Game Referee. "The plane was so close I was afraid that a ball might get kicked into the prop or something and be chopped up." Balachandran added.
The game was a hard fought battle for the Northern Raiders who have struggled since their reformation and relocation two year's ago. The team's captain and general manager Joel Venables remains optimistic that the Raiders will gain momentum in the coming years to become a force in the AMNRL. "We are struggling a little bit now as most players in the area are from a Union background and are only getting to know League." said Venables. "What's important at this stage is to keep a positive attitude and make it fun for the participants." This attitude was definitely demonstrated by the Raiders in a post game party that featured hotdogs without buns, chocolate donuts and Milwaukee's Best Beer in black garbage bags with ice.
With a few injuries and some players overseas the Knight's fielded a team that was made up of some new players and some old. Making an appearance from the old guard were Glenn "The Welsh Hammer" Treacher and Chris Martin. Tries were scored by Nick the greek, Ryan, Levan, Jezza (2 tries), Manny, Angel and with goals by Shane and Levan who each had 3. The Knight's took a little while to settle in to the new line up, but by the second half things clicked and they delivered a solid victory.
SPONSORS
