The Number 3 Baltimore Washington Eagles were too good for the young and inexperienced North Carolina Tigers in Poolesville MD on Saturday (April 26 2008). Both teams claimed to bring inexperienced players to Saturday’s pre-EAFL friendly, however the Eagles inexperience was far less and they were far too good.

(PHOTO: Eagles Head Coach, Aaron "AT" Tyndall, speaks with USFN).

The game began in bright and sunny conditions, temperature in the lower 80s on the Capitol Polo Fields. Good conditions for the warm up to the Eastern Australian Football League season. The Tigers got off to a solid start moving the ball forward and putting the Eagles backs under a lot of a pressure. The Eagles looked rusty and panicked at various times in the first quarter. One too many handballs and Tigers pressure led to turnovers. After a good move forward, Jason Heathcote was able to rove his own ruck and put through the first goal. However, the Eagles finished the quarter with a solid lead 4.4(28) to 1.1(7).

The Eagles seemed to find some composure in the first quarter huddles. The players and coaches made adjustments and they came out and dominated around the ground. Big Jason Heathcote is always a threat around the ground, but while the Eagle’s Ben Merlin gave up a lot height he was able to slow Heathcote down some. The Eagles mid-field lifted, winning more of the ball and looking for running options. The forward line opened up to allow Dan Thompson and Damien Moore to lead into space. The Tigers had some moments particularly Wes McCallister scoring a nice goal. The game was pretty much over at the half with the Eagles 10.8(68) to 2.1(13).

With the game starting to get away from the, the Tigers had difficulty maintaining their intensity at the ball in the second half. The Eagles started finding space and moving the ball relatively easily. Jay Levesque really picked the pace and was unlucky not have more of his hard work paid off with goals. The third quarter ended 15.15(105) to 2.5(17). With a lopsided lead, the air had gone out of the game. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Heathcote had to leave the field after landing awkwardly. Rob Beyersdorf made the most of the few opportunities kicking a goal off the ground, but the Eagle’s midfield run combined with the forward set up was too much for the Tigers. The final was 19.19(133) to 3.5(23)

“Overall, I was pleased with the performance. It is an inexperienced team. It is particularly hard when the game is out of your grasp after the first quarter. The Eagles are one of the best teams in the country at getting the ball out of the middle, while we need a lot of work on that part of our game,” says Heathcote. Eagles Coach Aaron Tyndall was fairly pleased. “I think it was good it was a good hit out. I thought we over used the football in the first quarter, bit of nervous energy. Dan Thompson and Jay Levesque really played well.” Tyndall is expecting things to be a lot harder when the two teams meet again for EAFL points in North Carolina.

Balt/Wash 4.4 10.8 15.15 19.19 (133)

Balt/Wash: Dan Thompson 6, Matt Bishop 3, Damien Moore 3, Aaron Tyndall 2, Dwayne Marshall 1, Stuart Ritchie 1, Shane Frearson 1, Greg Borchardt 1.

Nth Carolina: Robert Beyersdorf 1, Jason Heathcote 1, Wes McCallister 1.

Balt/Wash: Dwayne Marshall, Dan Thompson, Jay Levesque, Aaron Tyndall, Damien Moore.

Nth Carolina: Ross Pleban, Wes McCallister, Jordan Lee, Jason Heathcote, Robert Beyersdorf.

Photos care of Chris Adams and Amy Bishop.

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