The USA Tomahawks defeated a spirited Japan Samurais 54 to 18 in front of 1,200 fans at the Aston Community Center Field to advance to the next stage of the Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers.

 In an event which featured Youth Football and Rugby League, the Tomahawks entertained a large hometown crowd with some thrilling tries and big tackles. The Samurais were courageous but in the end size and power were the deciding factor for the USA.  

The AMNRL, in association with ASTON Bandits AA Youth Football, presented an entertaining day with over 2,000 fans enjoying a unique event which featured cheerleaders, t shirts slingshot into the crowd, and skills challenges. The large crowd was able to purchase and sample some real rugby league treats, the great Australian Pie, courtesy of CRIKEYS pies based in Toledo, Ohio. The company was founded by Aussie ex pats, mother and son team Lyn and Purri Gould who have already developed distribution of CRIKEYS PIES in the Southeast USA via WalMart and are currently working on national distribution. More information on CRIKEYS PIES can be found at www.crikeyspies.com 

Both the AMNRL and CRIKEYS PIES look forward to continued support of each others developing organizations. 

The full day of great sports action featured touchdowns, tackles, pies, and tries with fans of both sports admiring the exciting skill and contact of Rugby League with a view to developing youth Rugby League programs in the future with Aston AA and Chichester AA. 

Chilly conditions on game night and torrential rain the evening before threatened to spoil the action on game day but the Tomahawks and Samurais were able to play some exciting Rugby League and develop a whole new base of support in the Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania.

Although they were defeated, the Samurais were a big hit with the vocal crowd and made many friends with their determined efforts throughout the match that resulted in a couple of long range tries from their speedy outside backs.

 Man of the match for the USA was Louis Tulio with great support from Marcus Vassilakopouls and Conway Maraki. 

USA Tomhawks 54

Tries-Louis Tulio 3, Marcus Vassilakopoulos 2, Conway Amraki 2, Cory Sheridan, Justin Zadnik, Phil Shipos, Ric Dortone

Goal-Marcus Vassilakopoulos 5

defeated Japan Samurais 18

Tries-Konishi Amane, Tainaka Noriyuki, Kazaoka Masanori

Goals-Oriyama Norihiro 3 

Halftime - USA 32 Japan 6 

Match played at:-

Aston Community Center Field

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saturday, October 28, 2006