ROUND #5 GAME REPORT: Hamilton Wildcats (2-1) v Toronto Eagles (3-0) (@ Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON.)
HAMILTON WILDCATS 10.3.63 def. TORONTO EAGLES 8.10.58
After their Round #4 Match v the High Park Demons was postponed until later in the 2011 season due to extremely poor weather conditions last weekend in Guelph, the Wildcats had an extra week's rest before hosting the undefeated (3-0) Toronto Eagles in their first home game of the year. Mohawk Sports Park has always been kind to the hometown boys and a place where visiting teams always leave bruised & bloodied, but the Eagles have been an extremely tough ask whether at home or on the road, as the 'Cats have been unable to better their Toronto foes over the last 12 seasons.
Right from the opening bounce it was evident that neither team wanted to leave with the loss on the day, and the Eagles came out hard winning the footy and pushing forward to their tall options. Despite the early pressure by Toronto, Hamilton's backline of Eben Schaeffer, Charles Thompson, Nick DiRago, Justin Settle & rookie Drew "DD" Dupras looked solid, rebounding the early attempts and running well off the back flanks. After the visitors opened the scoring, Hamilton's newly assembled "fantastic four" in the center of Luke Lombardini, Brett Aiken, Conner Lowry & 1st gamer for the Wildcats Cam Teague worked very well together, moving the ball forward with accuracy and tagging their oppenents extremely well around the ground. After the Eagles opened the scoring, Hamilton answered with a goal of their own, but the visitors added 2 more big kicks as time wound down in the 1st quarter.
Toronto held on to a 22-6 lead after the first 20 minutes, but the Wildcats were set to explode after a very rousing speech by Team Captain B. Aiken during the break. After losing the first quarter, Hamilton came out firing on all cylinders to start the 2nd, eventually outscoring the Eagles 3.0 to 1.2, and pulling within only 6 points heading into the half. Hamilton's accuracy in front of the goals continued into the 3rd frame, kicking 4.0, but Toronto showed why they have been the most successful team in the OAFL since it's inception over 20 years ago, increasing their lead and answering each of Hamilton's scores with their own.
After 3 quarters of football, Toronto held on to a slim 8 point lead, but Hamilton looked determined to throw the monkey from their back, and finally overcome one of their toughest league rivals over the past 13 seasons. Coming out of their final team huddle, the 'Cats were looking to strike first in hopes of deflating the Eagles spirits to start the final 20mins of play; but the veterans from the Big Smoke had other ideas and potted 2 quick behinds straight off the first bounce of the 4th quarter. In years past, this would have been enough to totally crush the hearts and hopes of the Wildcats, but 2011 is a different year and a whole different team. Hamilton lifted their heads, regrouped and put their nose to the grindstone answering with a fantastic goal by Wildcat wee-man L. Lombardini, who's playing some of his best football since arriving in Canada. This big score seemed to buoy the 'Cats and push the Eagles back onto the heals, but Hamilton knew they could not take anything for granted, especially facing such an extremely & talented team. Both teams backlines were being tested time and time again over the final 20mins, and it looked like the team that would score next would win the game. Well, Hamilton was that next team, as veteran Wildcat Charles Thompson was awarded a free kick directly in front of the Eagles' goals with less than 2 mins remaining in the game. Not only did the 5-time Hamilton Wildcats AFC Leading Goalkicker split the big sticks to put the 'Catters on top by 5 points, which would eventually turn out to be the winning margin, but this goal was also his 200th career tally. Now I know what you're going to say, here's where teams start to use all the typical sporting clichés...but last weeks game was truly a team effort, with every single Wildcat doing their part to push the club over the line; as Hamilton ran out winners on the day 10.3.63 to 8.10.58 in front of a very enthusiastic hometown crowd.
Hamilton will now get to enjoy their second consecutive home game, as they will play host to the (0-5) Ottawa Swans this Saturday, June 18th/11 at Mohawk Sports Park. Despite the massive victory for the 'Catters last weekend against a long time rival, they will look to keep their foot on the proverbial gas as the upstart Swans will be sure to bring a strong list South to the "Hammer", as they continue to look for their 1st win on the 2011 season. Please make sure you clear your schedule(s) for this coming weekend, as the Wildcats look to improve to (4-1) on the year with another solid performance. The Club will be running a BBQ & serving ice cold beverages, so please make sure to bring your raid your piggy bank and come out to support the "yellow & black"!!!
HAMILTON GOALS: D. Crouch (2), N. DiRago (2), B. Aiken (2), L. Lombardini (2), C. Thompson (1), M. Lowry (1)
HAMILTON BEST: B. Aiken (BOG), D. Dupras (Hard Hat Award), C. Lowry, J. Steinmetz, J. Taylor, D. Rutten
HAMILTON 1st GAMERS: Cam Teague, Mitch Lowry, Tom Bialynicky
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=123296761&c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: Saturday, June 18th/11 Hamilton Wildcats (3-1) v Ottawa Swans (0-5), 1PM START @ Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON. There will also be a 2nd OAFL game (@ 3PM) held in Hamilton after the Wildcats v Swans, and the 'Cats will be running a BBQ to keep everyone on-hand well feed & hydrated!!!
For more details on the Hamilton Wildcats AFC, our upcoming games, etc; please log on to Facebook (www.facebook.com search: "Hamilton Wildcats AFC") or "follow" us on Twitter - www.twitter.com/WILDCATSafc
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 14/10/2011 02:48