26th-27th June 2004

REBELS PLAY IN CHARLEROI TROPHY

ORLEANS DEFEAT LILLE IN FINAL

FINAL STANDINGS:
1. Chevaliers d'Orleans (France)
2. Lille Vikings (France)
3. Dublin Rebels (Ireland)
4. Charleroi Cougars (Belgium).

FINAL - 27/6/04

CHEVALIERS d'ORLEANS 26-0 LILLE VIKINGS

3rd PLACE PLAY-OFF

DUBLIN REBELS 20-0 CHARLEROI COUGARS

SEMI-FINALS - 26/6/04

CHEVALIERS d'ORLEANS 26-8 DUBLIN REBELS

LILLE VIKINGS 18-6 CHARLEROI COUGARS

The Dublin Rebels play the Charleroi Cougars at Stade de Roux.

REPORT:

The Dublin Rebels finally relinquished their Charleroi Trophy title to French team, Chevaliers d'Orleans in Belgium over the weekend of 26/27 June. The Rebels, who won the tournament in both 2002 and 2003 were beaten 26-6 by the eventual winners, Orleans, in the semi-final. However, the Rebels did manage to beat Belgian team, Charleroi Cougars to take 3rd place. The Chevaliers went on to defeat fellow French team, Lille Vikings to win the tournament.

Rebels quarterback Andrew Dennehy in the pocket against the Charleroi Cougars.

The Rebels opened their defence of the title in the early afternoon game on Saturday 26th against Chevaliers d'Orleans. Orleans got off to a very quick start, scoring on a 59 yard reception on their opening possession. The Rebels almost scored on their first possession, but fumbled the ball on the Orleans 2 yard line. They nearly scored a safety a couple of plays later when the Chevaliers running back was tackled less than half a yard from his own line. Both teams managed to move the ball quite effectively throughout the rest of the first half - the Rebels on the ground with running back Brian Dennehy in particular, but the defenses tightened up when in scoring range. Orleans scored again shortly after the half time break through a 34 yard touchdown pass. The Rebels fought back with quarterback Andy Dennehy completing several passes to Conor Ryan, Carl Faichney and Simon Mackey, but the Chevaliers defense played well to prevent them from scoring. Orleans scored their third touchdown through the air later in the quarter - this time a 43 yard pass. The Rebels offense finally clicked early in the fourth quarter when Brian Dennehy scored on 12 yard touchdown run, but the Chevaliers sealed their place in the final with a 50 yard interception return to make the final score 2608 in their favour.

Rebels on defense against the Cougars.

Lille Vikings beat local team, Charleroi Cougars 18- 6 in the other semi-final. The score was 0-0 at the half. The Vikings scored two converted touchdowns - a 6 yard run in the third quarter and a 4 yard run in the fourth. The Cougars scored on a 21 yard reception late in the game and the Vikings ran back a blocked extra point.

The Rebels played the Charleroi Cougars in the 3rd/4th play-off which was a repeat of last years final with the Rebels coming out on top. Determined to leave the tournament with a victory, the Rebels scored early in the first quarter with a 5yard run by Brian Dennehy with Simon Mackey getting a two point conversion. Linebacker Andy Flynn intercepted the Cougars on their next possession which set up a 7 yard touchdown pass from Andrew Dennehy to Carl Faichney. Defensive lineman Paul Smyth recovered a Charleroi fumble in the second quarter, but the Rebels failed to score. The Rebels defense began to dominate the Cougars in the second half with Pat Quinn and Travis Lawson playing well in the secondary. The Rebels scored again in the fourth quarter when a fourth down pass to Conor Ryan set up a 7 yard touchdown pass from Andrew Dennehy to Simon Mackey to make the final score 20-0 in favour of the Rebels.

Chevaliers d'Orleans (white) play Lille Vikings (red) in the Final.

The Chevaliers d'Orleans dominated the Lille Vikings in Final with a very comfortable 26-0 win. They scored one touchdown in each quarter - a 2 yard pass, 12 yard pass, a 33 yard pass and an 85 yard interception return to become the first French team to lift win the Charleroi Trophy.