Jacks Run Out of Steam Against A United Force

Columbus, OH - Chicago came into town the reigning champions of the Mid-American Conference, having been crowned premiers the last three-straight years. The Jacks, twice badly defeated in Chicago, came in as the heavy underdogs, with a chip on their shoulders after the United ruined Columbus Dream First Season run at the MAAFL title. After a week of rain, both teams would battle each other - and an African savannah of long-grass for a hard-fought, full-on 80 minute game in a rare 18 verse 18 matchup.

Through the first three quarters each period ended with only a couple points difference, and going into the 4th, the Home Team, held a narrow 2-point advantage. That would be as close as the Jacks would get to victory though, as their tanks came up empty in the fourth, while Chicago's veteran midfielders only picked up steam pounding the ball into their forward lines where blonde-mulletted Oscar finally broke free from the suffocating tag put on Jacks Defensive specialist Clyde Simpson. Perhaps some ill-advsied lineup changes, along with Oscar's 13 points and a couple other key goals were the daggers that sunk the underdog's ship this day. Overall, a fantastic match that saw new faces on both sides of the lineup get a taste for this amazing game.

The social was just as spirited, with Chicago arriving in force from their Easton Hilton accomodation via taxis, and taking full advantage of the $1 Draft beers from 8-10 (something that doesn't exist in Chicago). The Jackaroos trailed in, in time for both coaches to give out a couple special recognition awards - including Columbus Best Player, and the Inaugural Red JACK-IT recipient, Matt "Water/Chappy" Reiss. Chicago's own Jason Wilhelm received the JACKASS shirt for his late and brutal cheap shot to Jacks Head Coach Scoota Matheson during the match.

K.D. served 'em up quickly and efficiently from his back bar all night long. Columbus VP Derek Shannon spread the AUSSIE RULES word, selling the "TOP 10 RULES" shirts out to players and fans alike. Columbus added the first two Social Members ever to our ranks in Bill Joyce and Pat Patterson - glad to have you both on board fellas. As the Chicago boys moved on to taste all Columbus had to offer at the downtown Park Street/Brothers area - the Jacks stayed true to Byrne's, finishing the night out while watching the Carlton vs. Hawthorn match on ESPN2 (the first live regular season match aired in the states since the 1980s on a major channel). All in all a great event, Columbus was glad to have Chicago down, and the team realized that they can play with anybody - now, to work on our 4th quarter conditioning.