ATLANTA - Saturday, June 1st, 2024. Your Copperheads traveled to light up to Georgia to take on the mighty Rhinos. On paper, the pundits believed that the Copperheads did not stand a chance after having to travel nearly 9 hours to the Peach State. However, Team Captain Wes Piggins put the call out on his home campus of Life University and found 4 more players to give us a bench and a shot to win with our experienced core group of starters.
Luckily, it was a beautiful 70 F (21 C) partly cloudy day. Substitutions were appreciated but not needed as our tight-knit, starting 13 took care of business in the weight room this off-season.
After a bit of back-n-forth in the first half, the difference was fitness coupled with experience in the second half when the Copperheads started pouring on unanswered tries when it became too much for the re-start Rhinos side.
Coach Colin O'Dell was the only person not surprised by the result. However, he was pleasantly surprised by Ethan Jaques (#088), his Man of the Match selection, who played his first-ever rugby league match. Not only did he contribute to the scoreboard, but he was reliable in defense, and racking up several notable tackles over the course of the contest.
The players agreed with Coach Colin O'Dell's assessment of who the top player was on the weekend. Last year's Salford Red Devils Trialist Riordan Sweet was number one in several players minds after an outstanding performance. Along with another solid debutant Jaiden Musse (#090) who tied Riordan for second in first place votes. Also receiving was import player and Copperheads Debutant Grant Garvey (#091) who did an excellent job at 9 and was able to provide leadership and keep our attack on the front foot and did anything but disappear in defense as he wasn't afraid to put his body on the line for his new mates.
Please consider supporting your favorite player by joining the alternate jersey pre-order. All proceeds go directly to the player noted on the order form for post-season travel expenses. If you want to support in general but don't have a player in mind, the club will direct the funds.
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