REBELS WIN CHARLEROI TROPHY

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Posted 7th July 2002
By Marco Polo

DUBLIN REBELS 22 – 00 CHARLEROI COUGARS (Final)
29th & 30th June 2003
Venue: Stade de Roux, Charleroi

SCORERS:
1st Quarter: Marcus Naylor 21yd interception return, Mark Slator 2pat.
2nd Quarter: Fearghal O’Donnchu 13yd pass from John Durrad, Ulli Zinnecker 2pat.
3rd Quarter: No Scoring
4th Quarter: Fearghal O’Donnchu 9 yard pass from John Durrad.

REPORT:
Early in the first quarter, the Rebels got into scoring range, but failed to convert a 4th and goal opportunity. The Cougars took over deep in their own half. The Rebels defensive line, anchored by Steve Porteous came within inches of scoring a safety, but went one better on the next play when Marcus Naylor intercepted a pass on the 21 yard line and returned it for a touchdown. Mark Slator ran in the 2 point conversion. The Rebels aggressive defence continued to stop the Cougars offence through the remainder of the first half. However, the Rebels were able to run the ball using a combination of RBs Marcus Naylor, Ulli Zinnecker & Mark Slator and soon got into scoring range. Approaching half-time, Fearghal O’Donnchu scored on a 13yard pass from John Durrad and Zinnecker ran in the 2 point conversion.

The Cougars came out strong in the second half and managed to move the ball with more success. However the Rebels defensive held strong in the red zone to prevent them from scoring. The Rebels got a break later in the 3rd quarter when Fergal Fennessy recovered a Rebels punt which was muffed by a member of the Charleroi punt return unit. The Rebels continued to move the ball effectively on the ground and Fearghal O’Donnchu scored his second touchdown of the game early in the 4th quarter on a 9 yard reception from John Durrad.

The Rebels defence dominated the rest of the quarter to earn the Rebels the Charleroi Trophy. After the disappointing 2002 season the Dublin Rebels returned home from a European tournament victorious. The Rebels played 2 games in 2 days scored 48pts and conceded just one touchdown. The Dublin Rebels became the first Irish team to win a foreign tournament and would return to defend the Trophy in 2003.

Some special mentions:
Marcus Naylor – Tailback – Free Safety – Club manager – Awarded the Offensive MVP for the Tournament.
Fearghal O’Donnchu – Tight End – Linebacker – Defensive Coach – Finished Top Scorer for the Tournament.
Kenny Hudson – MAD award – Most Amount of Drink
John Durrad – Al Burke – Ulli Zinnecker – Fergal Fennessy: Dragon’s/Viking’s players who joined forces with us for the tournament. Like it or not, you are now honorary Rebels for life. “Thanks a million guys we could not have done it without you!!” M. Naylor

DUBLIN REBELS 26 – 08 Forbach Taupes (Semi-Final)

SCORERS:
1st Quarter: No Scoring
2nd Quarter: Ulli Zinnecker 1yd run
3rd Quarter: No Scoring
4th Quarter: John Durrad 3yd Run, Ulli Zinnecker 3yd Run, Fearghal O’Donnchu fumble recovery in endzone + 2pat

REPORT:

The intense heat – temperatures close to 30C made life difficult for both teams. The first quarter was dominated by both defensives as both teams attempted to physically dominate the opposition. The Rebels scored the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter on a 1 yard run by Ulli Zinnecker against a tough Taupes goal-line defence. However the Taupes replied on their next possession – a good return and a couple of long gains by their speedy receivers & running backs got them into scoring range. They scored on an 11 yard pass which was converted to give them an 8-6 lead at half-time.

In the same manner as the Legendary 2001 Rebels defence. They turned up their intensity a gear in the second half and gradually wore down the Forbach offence. Defensive linemen/linebackers Steve Porteous, Tobias Hanson, Chris Quinn, Dave Rothwell, Simon Mackey and Al Burke dominated the line of scrimmage and succeeded in shutting down the Forbach running game. Cornerback Travis Lawson was very impressive against the pass. In the fourth quarter, the Rebels offence capitalised on a combination of good field possession, turnovers and a physical edge to score two touchdowns on the ground – 3 yard runs by QB John Durrad and FB Ulli Zinnecker. The Rebels sealed the game late in the quarter when Fearghal O’Donnchu recovered a fumble in the Forbach endzone.

The other Semi Final saw the Cougars beat the Reims Champs on a strange sudden death tie breaker. After the two teams failed to break each other down. Full time score Cougars (Bel) 0 – 0 Reims Champs (Fra). Both teams had one set of downs playing from their own 20 yard line. The idea, whichever team progressed the ball furthest won the game.