The 2011 AMNRL season was the fifteenth season of the American National Rugby League and the first after the split from USA Rugby League. The New York Knights are the reigning champions.
Background After the 2011 split, which saw 7 former AMNRL teams withdraw from the competition to form the new USA Rugby League, in 2012, 5 of the 6 teams from the previous season returned. Delaware Vipers withdrew, and Northern Virginia Eagles returned to bring the competition to six. The New York Knights return as defending champions after winning the 2011 AMNRL Grand Final over the Connecticut Wildcats.
The 2012 season was buoyed by the national team's success on the international stage — coached by Matthew Elliott, the Tomahawks had qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, beating Jamaica and South Africa the previous October.
Teams AMNRL teamsTeamStadiumCity/AreaFoundation YearChampionshipsAston BullsSun Valley High SchoolAston Township, Pennsylvania19986 (as Glen Mills Bulls)Bucks County SharksFalls Township Community ParkLevittown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania19970Connecticut WildcatsBrian McMahon StadiumNorwalk, Connecticut20033 - 2003,2006,2007New York KnightsHudson River ParkNew York City, New York19973 - 2002,2009, 2011Northern RaidersRockland County, NYEssex County, New York20020Northern Virginia EaglesNorthern Fauquier Community FieldMarshall, Virginia20070
Regular season
Week 1 HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefAston Bulls18 - 38Connecticut WildcatsSaturday, June 2 Andrews FieldNorthern Raiders54 - 24Bucks County SharksNorthern Virginia Eagles0 - 78New York KnightsNorthern Fauquier Community Field
Week 2 HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefConnecticut Wildcats22 - 26New York KnightsSaturday June 9Staples High SchoolBucks County Sharks28 - 8Northern RaidersBuchanan Elementary SchoolAston Bulls54 - 4Northern Virginia EaglesBrandywine Rugby Field
Week 3 HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefNew York Knights34 - 36Aston BullsSaturday June 16Pier 40 Hudson River ParkBucks County Sharks20 - 0Northern Virginia EaglesBuchanan Elementary SchoolConnecticut Wildcats42 - 20Northern RaidersNY Military Academy
Week 4 HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefBucks County Sharks12 - 30New York KnightsFriday June 22Falls Township Community ParkNorthern Virginia Eagles34 - 74Connecticut WildcatsSaturday June 23Northern Fauquier Community FieldNorthern Raiders22 - 42Aston Bulls Andrews Field
Week 5 HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefNew York Knights44 - 28Connecticut WildcatsFriday June 29Pier 40 Hudson River ParkAston Bulls52 - 30Bucks County SharksSaturday June 30Brandywine Rugby FieldNorthern Virginia Eagles12 - 86Northern RaidersNorthern Fauquier Community Field
Week 6 HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefNorthern Virginia Eagles12 - 86Bucks County SharksSaturday July 14Northern Fauquier Community FieldNew York Knights48 -18Northern RaidersPier 40 Hudson River ParkAston Bulls60 - 30Connecticut WildcatsBrandywine Rugby Field
War At The Shore XV - Sea Isle City, NJ HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefNorthern Raiders26 - 56Aston BullsSaturday July 28Dealy FieldNew York Knights54 - 0Northern Virginia EaglesBucks County Sharks22 - 42Connecticut Wildcats
Standings AMNRL StandingsCompetition Points Breakdown: Win = 4 points Draw = 2 points, Loss = 0 points, Loss under 6 = 1 point, 4+ tries = 1 pointPosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification1New York Knights7601314118 +19632Minor Premiers & Semi-finals2Aston Bulls7601320184 +13631Qualifying Finals3Connecticut Wildcats7403276224 +52244Bucks County Sharks7304222168 +54185Northern Raiders7205236254 -18136Northern Virginia Eagles700762452 -3901
Statistics
Top points scorers RankPlayerClubTriesGoalsPoints1Todd FisherNew York Knights12531542Matt WalshConnecticut Wildcats12431343John GraceAston Bulls4441044Michael GowardConnecticut Wildcats220885Joel VenablesNorthern Raiders034686Andrew MoodyNew York Knights152647Mick EsdaleNorthern Raiders143628Zac PadgettBucks County Sharks110449Steve ThompsonBucks County Sharks1194210Kevin WigginsAston Bulls10040
Top try scorers RankPlayerClubTries1Mike Goward Connecticut Wildcats222Andrew MoodyNew York Knights153Mick EsdaleNorthern Raiders144Matt WalshConnecticut Wildcats125Todd FisherNew York Knights126Zac PadgettBucks County Sharks117Kevin WigginsAston Bulls108Marc Webb Northern Raiders99Fitzy AdamsNew York Knights910Al ValentinAston Bulls8Louis TulioAston Bulls8
Postseason
Qualifying Finals HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefAston Bulls30 - 20Northern RaidersSaturday August 4Brandywine Rugby FieldConnecticut Wildcats44 - 36Bucks County SharksStaples High School
Semi Finals HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefNew York Knights52 - 4Bucks County SharksSaturday August 11Pier 40 Hudson River ParkAston Bulls32 - 38Connecticut WildcatsBrandywine Rugby Field
AMNRL Cup Final XV HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefNew York Knights60 - 40Connecticut WildcatsSaturday August 18Fairfield Ludlowe High School
References