Mere seconds later, after Hendrie had sent the kangaroo skin gyrating at a 45 degree angle to serve as the center bounce and those Piranhas had bitten again, this time young Eric the red swooped on a loose ball and his goal sent the Piranhas into a frenzy as the scent of Rhino blood wafted upon the warm Chicago breeze. But the Rhinos were able to show some resolve as the backs tightened and the on ballers started to lift. The Rhinos tried David Choi in the ruck and it was he who delivered first use to Deehan, Blundell and Tobias Allen. After finally going forward, it was an Ambrosino special that set the Rhinos scoring with the little champion swooping on some left overs and goaling from 30 out with a very clever snap.

Both teams backlines continued to tighten with key match ups playing a big part in this game of physical chess. Panek on Ward, Gambaro on Drake, Scher on McKeegan and Blundell watching the ever dangerous Hayse is where the game was going to be won or lost. But it was the father of twins to be that proved the thorn for the Piranhas and in a welcome sign for the Rhinos, Toddy McClamroch took a handy grab on a very tight angle but after some undisciplined play (probably Al... then again it was deep in the LP backline so most likely not actually) Hendrie swooped in and ordered a 50 meter penaltie that put the little champ dead in front and he didn't disappoint his legion (2) of future fans who kicked mums belly in delight as he evened scores at the first break. Rhinos 2.1: 13 versus Piranhas 2.1: 13

The Rhinos threw both Drake and Wolfe back in defence to stem the onslaught of Piranhas that they thought was coming and they weren't disappointed. Time and again the Piranha army went forward off the boot of best on ground Ciaran Sweeney who's run off the backline (and American passport!!) had Hendrie and the United selectors grinning ear to ear as he dominated proceedings evoking visions of past and present Chicago champions who had made that very position their own such as Toddy Holmberg, Craig Miller and the great Frank Bradley himself. Even the best of the best in BJ Gambaro was impressed with the big Irish/ American to the point that the usually reserved Gambaro called his game "the best first up game since Brian Hoyt's 5 goals against the Swans in 2004". High praise indeed, especially considering the heights (and lows!! .... I'm remembering the bird he pulled in St Louis one year... that was a high for me but that's a story for another time!) obtained by Hoyt since that game.

Under constant pressure and fighting gallantly, it wasn't long until the Rhino backs caved and it was Martin Gallagher, another of the wild Irish boys who was able to goal to send the Piranhas into the lead. The Rhinos kept trying and with new gun David Ortiz battling at center half forward and providing a great target for the Rhino mids, they were able to withstand the pressure being thrown their way. Toby Allen was fantastic for the Rhinos in the middle and Eli Rosen was continuing his fantastic form from game one. Blundell started to get possessions and with Wolfe getting in the way of everything the game started to boil down to a game of defence until big, bad, bustling Al MacGlashan accepted a lovely pass and was able to go back, cock that horrible left hoof of his and go BANG from 40 to hurt the Rhinos before the half. At the long break, the Piranhas led 4.4: 28 to 2.1: 13 and a tough second half was on the offing.

The Rhinos came out very happy with their pressure and attack on the ball and satisfied with the job being down by Panek on Roofy and Scher on the elusive McKeegan and they looked to take the game right up to the highly fancied Piranhas but it was a lapse in concentration that saw the Piranhas draw first blood in the third against the breeze. Ciaran Sweeney, staving off a nasty bout of leather poisoning was able to push forward and goal to set the poachers amongst the Rhinos but again the Rhinos tightened and enjoying some excellent midfield play from the likes of Rosen, Blundell, Allen and Choi they were able to bring pressure to bare on the Piranha backs. It was this pressure that forced the usually stoic and dependable Gambaro into a rare mistake and his kick across goal found his old mate Drakey whose kick from 45 out was straighter and more direct than a Frank Bradley insult.

The Rhinos kept at it and were rewarded when the feisty Toby Allen, back in Rhino colors finally, streaked out of the backline and went long through the guts to find his coach who got the jump on Ehlers and marked 50 out dead in front. The ensuing kick from Drake was a beauty and all of a sudden it was game on as the Rhinos started to sniff an unlikely upset. At the orange break, the Piranhas led 5.5: 35 to 4.1: 25

The breeze was still there and it was still to the advantage of the Piranhas but was lessening indeed in its intensity and stiffness, much like the manhood of Brian Hoyt in that previously talked about incident in St Louis at 3am (fear not though people, he was able to hang on and kick a winning score in the end!). It was the Rhinos, bouyed by a big 3 quarter time tongue lashing that came out strongest. Led by Choi and Ortiz, the Rhinos pushed numbers forward as they looked for their first win. This move left a lot to chance and any rebounds were going to be dealt with by the efficient Piranha forwards. MacGlashan, well held by Jack Thompson (nephew of the great Basher) until now, revelled in the wide open expanse of the LP forward line and he marked a good 50 yds out. Big Al's next move was stunning, considering his well known propensity for a goal (or at least a shot at the big sticks). He caught John Scher napping as his man, the very dangerous Nolan McKeegan, ran toward an open goal, took a lovely grab over the shoulder and hammered in the first nail into the Rhino coffin.

Mistakes continued to plague the Rhinos as their inexperience started to show. With the defence down to the brothers in law in Drake and Scher as the Rhinos pushed everyone forward, the Piranhas were ripe to pounce. A poor clearing kick found the great man in Roofy Ward who went back and went BANG to bring up the Piranhas 7th and put the game away. To their credit, the Rhinos continued to bring pressure to bare on the Piranha backs but without Forte and Deutz up forward, targets were sorely missing and soon Ward was the recipient of another Rhino turn over and his second belied the impressive game Panek had played on the best thing to come out of Canberra since Justin Biggs or James Hird.
The Rhinos still continued to press and finally David Ortiz, in his second game in the famous baby blue's was rewarded for his impressive game with a goal from 20 out. But it was too little too late and the Piranhas went on to secure their first win and condemn the Rhino to their second straight loss.

Hayse was particularly pleased after the game with the form of Ciaran Sweeney but also with the efforts of Roofy Ward who broke the close checking of Disco Panek and he also pointed out the work of his new recruits who were all terrific. Particularly effective were the pair of Eric the Red and Martin Gallagher whose run and hard nosed attack on the ball wore down the Rhinos midfielders and provided plenty of opportunity for the Piranha forwards. Isadore was able to get through the game despite an attempt by Drake to garrote the big fella. Palmer was his usual handy self and it was terrific to see stalwarts Kastilahn and Deri Morgan getting amongst it again. Hayse himself was unstoppable on the wing and it is his play in particular that can break the curse of the Lincoln Square Tigers.

The Rhinos will lament the many costly turnovers they committed as well as their poor start but there were plenty of positives to come from the game. Ambrosino, a major part of this team was much better as was Blundell. Wolfe was his usual hard working self and Panek stood up against all odds for much of the game. Perhaps the best news for the Rhinos was the form of Ortiz at center half forward and Choi in the ruck. With Deutz to return, the Rhinos may finally have some height to combat the other teams. Toby Allen was tireless in the trenches and the Rhinos desperately need big things from him as they look to combat the loss of the great Gerard Forte. Rockstar Deehan was hard as ever and made his opponents work for everything but the Rhino needs a dominant forward as they move forward with a pretty good backline led by Clarke, Thompson, Scher and Panek as well as a mid field that is showing signs of waking up after their trouncing form the Tigers.

FINAL SCORES:
LP 8.10: 58 def WV 5.1: 31

BEST:
LP: Sweeney, Ward, Gallagher, Hayse, Zukowski
WV: Allen, Choi, Ortiz, Thompson, Rosen

GOALS:
LP: Ward, McKeegan 2, Sweeney, MacGlashan, Gallagher, Eric 1
WV: Drake 2, Ambrosino, McClamroch, Ortiz 1

BURGMANN AWARD:
3- Sweeney 3- Sweeney
2- Gallagher 2- Roofy Ward
1- Rosen 1- Rosen

$20 BROWNSTONE BUCKS:
Roofy