Wildcats Storm Humber College and Force Rebels to Surrender

Coming off of a tough loss at home versus the Broadview Hawks a week earlier, the Hamilton Wildcats hit the road to face the Lakeshore Rebels at Humber College North in Toronto this past weekend.  The Rebels have been battling through a tough season due to a major lack of numbers, many of their key players with off-field commitments and several long term injuries; an experience the Wildcats know all toowell.  Hamilton was looking to get themselves back in the win column with a solid victory over the Rebels, who were runners-up to the Grand Final Champion Toronto Dingos last season.  As the Rebels turned up with only 16 of their own players, the ‘Cats had 22 strong on hand and everything looked to be in place for a landslide victory for the Wildcats.  That is, until the sky opened-up and the rain came thundering down; turning Humber College North into more of a wadding pool than a football field and the game ball into what felt like a “bar of soap”.  Hamilton won the opening tap, cleared the centre of the ground and moved the footy up-field to the forward line with relative ease.  Full Forward Charles Thompson, was in tough versus a much bigger opponent at fullback, but his strong marks in the pouring rain seemed to deflate the Rebel backline as Hamilton jumped out to an early lead with quick goals from rovers Joel Carter and Barry “Rich Franklin is my Homeboy” Crow.  As expected, the sloppy conditions provided some sloppy play at times, but Hamilton was determined not to let the game be decided by the weather, working hard in the guts and using the height in their new look forward line of Jeff Fish, Hugo Speksnyder and Chris “Soupy/Soapy” Tyrrell.  As Hamilton’s “fantastic four” of Mike Nolan, Ken “You Wish You Had Pecs Like Mine” Tumak, Joel Carter and Barry Crow dominated most of the play in the first quarter, Hamilton took a slight 2.3.15 to 0.1.1 lead into the first break and hoped to maintain their momentum heading into the second quarter.  As the rain began to pick-up, so did the Wildcats’ offensive attack as Hamilton started the second frame with 2 quick goals from Joel Carter and Mike “Mr. Fantastic” Nolan respectively.  As the mud puddles continued to grow with every passing moment, the play of both teams seemed to drop faster than a lead balloon, as basic footy skills became practically impossible.  As the second quarter came to a close, both clubs swam to their respective benches and hoped for a much drier second half.  The footy Gods seemed to answer the prayers of the competitors as both Hamilton and Lakeshore took to the field for the start of the “premiership quarter”, sans rain.  Despite several brief flares of top skill from the Rebels in the third frame, as well as a hat trick of goals, the tenacious Wildcat backline of Alex Thompson, Eben Schaeffer, Rich “Gumby” Burgess and rookie Huw “Playboy” Phillips completely shutout the hometown boys for the remainder of the game.  The visiting Wildcats eventually ran out winners on the day 9.14.68 to 3.4.22.  Great efforts from the entire roster this past weekend boys…C’arn the Wildcats!