Kicking off the Eastern Australian Football League season on Saturday June 7 2008, the No. 2 Baltimore Washington Eagles traveled north to Canton, Massachusetts to take on the home town favorites, the No. 10 Boston Demons. In ten years of football, the Eagles had never beaten the Demons on Boston soil, so fitness and skill preparation would be key.

From the outset, play was back and forth as both clubs felt one another out, recognizing important match-ups. Boston matched up well with the smaller BWE side and goals bounced from one end of the field to the other. Playing under the 93 degree sun, players from both teams found themselves swapping off repeatedly, conserving energy for the long haul. Some stellar kicks by the likes of Dwayne Marshall and Matt Bishop gave the Eagles kept the game close, but the Demons countered with their own sure shots, giving them the lead at quarter time, 3.4 (22) to 2.5 (17).

With some quick shuffling by the Eagles' coaching staff, the Eagles found renewed energy in some clutch players. With Geoff Hamshar and rookie Kyle Petronella tackling duties in the ruck, the Eagles' engine room pushed and purred with efficiency as Stuart Ritchie, Dave Waldron, Matt Bishop and Aaron Tyndall created more than enough opportunities for the hungry forward line of Danny Thompson, big Damien Moore and Garth Elliott. However, Boston's defense was able to effectively hold Thompson and Moore goalless. Up forward, the Demons and Damien Helem and Arthur Campbell keeping them in touch. At the halftime whistle, 5.10 (40) to 4.5 (29).

In the third quarter, things were tight and tough. On the scoreboard it showed as the Eagles' moved slightly ahead 8.12 (60) to Boston's 6.7 (43).

The Demons came back strongly in the last and were kicking much straighter than the Eagles who were desperate to hold off the surge. Given if the clock had run on for another five minutes, it really would have been anyone's game. But the day belonged to the Eagles with a final score of 9.18 (72) to 10.9 (69).

QUARTER SCORES:
01Q: BWE 2.5 (17) to BOS 3.4 (22); 02Q: BWE 5.10 (40) to BOS 4.5 (29); 03Q: BWE 8.12 (60) to BOS 6.7 (43); 04Q: BWE 9.18 (72) to BOS 10.9 (69)

GOALKICKERS
Boston: Damien Helem 3, Arthur Campbell 2, Sean Keane 2, Gregory Narleski 1, Paul Clarke 1, Earl Evon 1.
Balt/Wash: Dwayne M'shall 2, Garth Elliot 2, Aaron Tyndall 1, Matt Bishop 1, Stuart Ritchie 1, David Waldron 1, R.J. Wheelock 1.

BEST PLAYERS
Boston: Damien Helem, Arthur Campbell, Jason DeGeorge, Earl Evon, Jaime Gaines.
Balt/Wash: Denis Ryan, Greg Borchardt, Ben Merlin, Kevin Stanley, Stuart Ritchie.

UMPIRES: Doug Algate and Bruce Rogers.

Photos courtesy of Amy Bishop.

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