Last Saturday the Wildcats took on the undefeated Eagles and suffered another loss, but look to have reclaimed some form.
It was always going to be an epic ask for the out of form Wildcats to take away a victory against the strong Toronto Eagles side.
After what looked to be a terrible day weather wise, the weather gods looked kindly upon Hamilton as the skies cleared for what turned out to be a terrific day for the first ever double header in Hamilton.
As the boys began to warm up it became clear that this day would get even harder, with only 17 players ready to go, only 15 of which could take the field (8 Australians named in the line up with only 6 being allowed to be on the field at once). Things were going to be tough. The coaching panel came together with a plan that they had hoped would make the side a competitive enough to give it a crack. And a crack they gave it.
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter the Wildcats failed to capitalise, being down by 3 goals at the quarter time siren. The team thought this was a valiant effort to be so close to such a great team. All this must have gone to their heads as during the next quarter the eagles kicked away with 4 goals to 1. Things looked bleak at half time for the 'Cats being down by 4 goals.
During the "premiership quarter" the steel town boys turned things around drastically. The likes of Lombadini, Aiken, Johns, Crouch and Hill in the middle set up the game. But just as in the 2nd quarter, missed shots on goal proved very costly with scores close to tied at the end of the third the Wildcats had a scoreline of 6.13, and controlled nearly all of the play.
The 'Cats began the last as they finished the 3rd, giving it their all and hitting the front for a brief period. But after losing Wilson to a hamstring, Stepien to supected broken ribs players began to cramp up across the ground and it all became too much as the Eagles then kicked away with the strong breeze.
It was a truly stunning effort by the home town Wildcats as they really scared the top side of the comp but just didnt have the legs to get over the line, and really need to work on their shots at goal (Aiken ended the day on 3 goals 7 behinds!! Brutal!!)
Following the Hamilton game the Central Blues easily accounted for the Guelph Gargoyles to finish off the double header.
MASSIVE thanks to Carly, Bonnie and Laura who without them, there would not have been a steller BBQ. You guys are wicked, and we love you.
FINAL SCORE
HAMILTON BEST:
J. Johns, B. Aiken, L, Lombardini, D. Crouch, N. Dirago, T. Howe
HAMILTON GOAL KICKERS:
B. Aiken 3, D. Rutten, D. Crouch, N. Dirago
Last Modified on 08/06/2010 08:42