On Saturday August 1, a big day of International Footy in Mason OH kicked off with in-state rivals, the Columbus Jackaroos taking on the Ohio Valley River Rats.
Smarting from a loss to Ohio Valley and Milwaukee several weeks ago, the Columbus Jackaroos travelled to Mason with something to prove. This time around the weather was warm and humid, but the Jacks were missing many key players promising a tight tussle. As the crowd filed in for a huge day of footy, the two clubs put on a fine curtain raiser to the international matches.
The Dockers were immediately set back when player/coach Kyle Strenski was unavailable to play in this condensed game, as he would play for the USA reserve squad in their match later that day. Despite this setback, the Dockers showed grit and toughness in the first half. The Jackaroos got the early jump on the River Rats through a fine goal to Brian Turpie. The game was tight in the clinches with Brad Dailey and Clyde Simpson going toe to toe with USFooty veterans such as Mike Hanavan. The young Jacks controlled the flow of play but wasted many chances going into the forward line. The Rats scored two goals on solid rebounds from defense, with center half forward Daniel Schultes taking many fine marks. Half time saw the Jacks trailing 1.4 (10) to Ohio Valley 2.2 (14).
The second half was a much different story, as the Jackaroos denied the Dockers a single point. Cincinnati were able to win plenty of center rucks, but Columbus were better able to pick the ball out from those contests, and not allow the Dockers to advance the ball into their forward line, forcing the defense to work overtime in that period. Matt Reiss grabbed control of the game in the midfield and Johnny Culgan lead strongly across half forward. Two quick goals to Nate Jordan and another to Culgan showed the Jackaroos had started to click. Rob McFarland skied for a huge mark and delivered a fine ball up forward to the Rookie Turps for the final goal of the game. The Jacks had overrun the River Rats in the second half and won 6.5 (41) to 2.2 (14).
Goals
Columbus: Nate Jordan 2, Brian Turpie 2, Johnny Culgan 2
Ohio Valley: Daniel Schultes 1, Ryan Forsthoefel 1
Best Players
Columbus: Matt Reiss, Johnny Culgan, Rob McFarland, Brandon Crowe, Adam Horrocks
Ohio Valley: Daniel Schultes, Larry Snowden, Ryan Forsthoefel
