Game Report by the Dublin Rebels:
The Dublin Rebels kicked the new season off to a start with a convincing home win over the visiting West Dublin Rhinos. With a dominant ground attack and a defense running rampant, the Rebels comfortably overcame a high penalty count and some blips in the passing game to secure a 48-0 victory.
Receiving the opening kickoff, the home team went straight to work on the ground. With only LG Tobias Hansson remaining from the starting line of last season, newcomers Jonathan Kelly and Darren Colgan joined the promoted Nicky Kenny and D-line convert Steve Wilson in a new-look group. Under the tutelage of retired Rebel stalwart Shane Campbell, this spring’s catalogue of maulers maintained the same nasty finesse that has epitomized the storied Rebel O-lines of recent years. The chain crew broke into a steady canter as the Rebels collected first downs with steely greed.
With daylight in front, RBs Aaron Smith and Sam Hodgins squeezed and slashed through, each finding the endzone early on. The combination proved deadly the entire game, and as the yards piled up it became difficult to see who was complementing the other. Like an imported chocolate cookie with a crunching bite, washed down with a smooth pint of full-fat Irish milk, the flavour was too potent for the visiting Rhinos, their hands as full as their mouths with this tasty tandem.
The Rhinos struggled to gain any momentum on offence against a tough Rebels defense that was swarming to the ball. A combination of Rhino three and outs and coughed up fumbles recovered by the home defense gave the Rebels offense even more time of possession, and allowed them to expand the playbook. However, attempts at slinging the ball through the air were largely fruitless. It wasn’t until the 2nd quarter that QB Andy Dennehy connected with WR Barry Flinn, their first completion going for a 5 yard touchdown, as Flinn snuck behind CB John Keegan. A safety off an overzealous snap to the Rhinos punter and a further touchdown run from Smith brought the score to 29-0 at halftime.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with the Rebels defensive line continuing to attack the QB Stephen Macken and RB Sean Power. With DE Henry Wasserman and DT Conor Walsh returning from lengthy absences from the game; DT Sunday O’ Hanlon let loose after 15 years on the offensive line and DE Steve Walsh lining up against several former teammates, there was more than enough fire in their variously shaped bellies to keep up intrusions into the Rhino backfield.
The visitors set out in the third quarter to make amends for their first half errors. The game plan was to test the Rebel defensive back pairing of Eoin Daly and Colin Keegan: they came out looking to air it out. However, with that vaunted defensive line running rampant the constantly under pressure Macken coughed up an interception to a lurking Ross McCooey, the veteran linebacker setting up blocks and taking it all the way to the house for another 6 points. However, the resilient Macken and co did manage to take advantage of some defensive penalties and connected on a number of passes for a handful of first downs. Unable to sustain a long drive though, they couldn’t quite get close enough to threaten the endzone themselves.
Back on offense the Rebels continued to run the ball effectively with a reshuffled offensive line, as the indomitable viking Hansson suffered his first known instance of pain and made way. Another score from Hodgins brought the lead to 42-0 after a successful conversion by rookie kicker Ian McDonald, held by holder Paul Grogan. With the game in hand Flinn moved under centre for the 4th quarter, happily feeding to Smith initially, who brought play to near the goal-line. With a close eye on the stat sheet, Flinn faked to Smith on the next play, rolled right, ignored wide open TE Paul Smyth and ran it in himself for the final score of the game.
Game Report by a neutral spectator:
A bright sunny Sunday at Sportslink saw a re-loaded Rebels team unleash hell on the Dublin Rhinos over 4 quarters. The Rhinos came into the game with a major flu crisis affecting half of the team,and several players took and failed late fitness tests prior to the game.Coach Mark Lawless was also one of the affected but braved the day for his teams first game of the year.
Sam Hodgins and new RB Aaron Smith tore it up on the ground,combining for over 300 yards. Hodgins ran 3 TD’s in on the day,including two huge individual efforts.Smith was also impressive on the ground,making some huge runs.
The Rebels struggled in the passing game.QB Dennehy,playing hurt with back spasms, was 2 of 14 but did manage to make those two count in the endzone.Midway through the 3rd quarter Dennehy was replaced by back up QB Barry Flinn,who brought not only a passing threat but caused huge problems for the Rhinos with the scramble.
It was a tough day for the Rhinos and QB Steve Macken had little protection from an aggressive Rebels D. Macken missed most of the 2nd and 3rd Quarters with injury but bravely returned to lead his offense. QB Sean Power stood in well, but the Rhinos could get nothing going on the ground or air. The Rhinos did complete a 35 yarder midway through the first.The Rhinos hung in the game until the final whistle and their team will have benefitted from hitting the ground running against such a strong team.
The game finished 48-00 but the Rhinos can take heart that they faced what is likely their toughest opponent for the year. The Rebels play Trinity College Dublin this sunday at midday in Trinity Sports Grounds,in an early battle for the top of the IAFL Central Division.
Game Photos (from the Dublin Rebels Facebook account)
“Rebels beat the Rhinos 47-00…..
BOOMMM”
From Dublin Rebels Vs Dublin Rhinos, posted by Dublin Rebels on 3/24/2010 (21 items)
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