9/9/2009 10:15:00 AM Fat Rhinos charge off with King of the Rock title
* Photos supplied. Bermuda lost to eventual champions Fat Rhinos.
By Mike Totman
There was some incredible lacrosse action this weekend at the National Stadium in Bermuda. Four teams gathered to challenge for the title of Kings of the Rock and the action on the field did not disappoint.
The fun started on Saturday as 51st State, the Fat Rhinos, Team Ontario, and Bermuda battled for preliminary standings heading into championship Sunday. 51st State made it out of the first day undefeated, with Ontario and the Rhinos both going 1-1. Bermuda played in two hard fought games but came up a little short to finish the day at 0-2.
Sunday saw the Canadians play 51st State to open things up and they continued their dominance in the tournament winning 10-1 to finish with a 3-0 record and a berth in the finals.
The second game saw Bermuda take on the Fat Rhinos. Bermuda showed marked improvement from Saturday as their play was sharp, their clears were executed with precision, and their defense forced the Rhinos to work a little harder than they would have liked. Ultimately the Fat Rhinos were victorious, earning them a date with 51st State in the championship.
Before the final action would begin, however, there was a consolation game to be played. In a brilliant show of sportsmanship, and to pay tribute to host Bermuda as a thank you for a wonderful weekend of lacrosse in paradise, the Canadians asked if they could call off the official consolation game in order to mix up the teams and play with their new Bermuda friends. So all the players threw their sticks into a pile and randomly selected the two teams to compete. It turned out to be a fantastic move and allowed these new friends to play in a completely fun game.
After all, this weekend is about forging new lacrosse relationships with our friends across the ocean.
In the consolation game Bermuda goalie Dave Bigley held on for his first win of the tournament, holding the other team and soon to be first round NLL draft pick Zack Greer to just three goals as his team scored five to get the win.
The championship game was the most intense lacrosse ever played on this island. 51st State narrowly won the first meeting on Saturday by one goal, and it promised to be an up and down battle on Sunday.
After some back and forth to start the game 51st State came out to a 3-1 lead on what would be a 4 goal game for Mike McCall from Long Island. Pete LeSueur pitched in as well, but the Fat Rhinos managed to win a few of the final faceoffs after clawing back ahead at 8-7 in order to keep possession and stave off a relentless attack from 51st State's defense.
In the end the Fat Rhinos were victorious, 8-7, and were crowned the 2009 Kings of the Rock at the second annual tournament in Bermuda.
It was a fantastic weekend of lacrosse in Bermuda and the teams are all sure to be back next year. As this event grows we are sure to see even higher levels of lacrosse as the game seems to improve every year. In one short year this event has tripled in size, and next year promises to be even larger. Thank you to our sponsors Bermuda Tourism, M3 Wireless, Gosling's, Barritts, Endurance, Aesthetic Skin Care clinic, Conyers Dill and Pearman, Harrow Sports, Island Stats, and Bermuda Sports Network for a fantastic weekend! * Mike Totman is the president of the Bermuda Lacrosse Association.
