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Round
11
DESPITE SOLID EFFORT, HAMILTON GETS SWARMED BY HAWKS IN HAMILTONAfter coming off a much needed victory over the Lakeshore Rebels a week earlier, the
Hamilton Wildcats were hoping to extend their winning streak to 2 games with a solid
outing versus the 3rd place Broadview Hawks at Mohawk Sports Park this past weekend.
with several key players still riding the pine with nagging injuries, or unavailable due to
work/family commitments, the 'Cats would head into a very important game with a very thin
bench and several starters not in the line-up. Broadview has always been an extremely tough
team for Hamilton to handle over the years, but the '07 Wildcats hoped to change their fate
versus one of the league's top teams as the playoffs loomed. in hopes of jumpingout to an
early lead and perhaps catching the Hawks on their heals, the 'Cats tried a new look middle
four with Paul Lawson, rookie sensation Derek Rutten, Brett Hill & Barry Crow lining uo in
the guts, while Charles Thompson played loose in the backline to help shut down Broadview's
full-forward and current leading goa; kicker in the OAFL. Unfortunately, everything that
could have gone wrong for Hamilton DID go wrong in the first 20 minutes. The visitors totally
dominated the middle of the ground, thus leading to 99% of the center clearences and a
constant flooding of the Wildcat backline. Hamilton fullback Justin settle, did his best to
control the much quicker Broadview target, but experience definitely won out as the Hawks
forward helped to put his team ahead by 6 goals as the first quarter came to a close. So far
this season it seemed as if comeback victories were going to be the staple of the Wildcats success,
but unfortunately the Hawks had an answer for every offensive onslaught the 'Cats tried to
mount. The scoreboard definitely did not do the Wildcats any justice on the day, especially
without being able to highlight a handful of impressive individual performances from rookies
Derek Rutten, Kyle "Tiny" Skinner, as well as ruckman Paul Lawson and half back
flanker Chrles Thompson, who was voted B.O.G. for the home side. In the end the Hawks
defeated Hamilton 13.16.94 to 5.10.40. The (6-5) Wildcats will not hit the road after a week
off to face the Etobicoke Kangaroos, who are currently sitting on top of the OAFL ladder with
a spotless (10-0) record. Hopefully with a solid showing and 80 minutes of hardcore Hamilton
footy, the 'Cats be the team to break the Roos impressive unbeaten streak as the season closes
to an end.
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