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Round
13
BLUES SHOCK WILDCATS ON SPONSERS DAY AT MOHAWK SPORTS PARKAfter suffering a very humbling defeat at the hands of the Etobicoke Kangaroos, the Hamilton
Wildcats headed home to face the (1-10) Central Blues, which would be followed by the 1st
Annual Sponsor's/Family Day at Mohawk Sports Park. After facing the league's top team a
week previous the Wildcats hoped a visit from the struggling Blues would be the perfect cure
for their current 2 game hangover. Despite sitting at the bottom of the OAFL Ladder the
Blues were definitely not a team taken lightly and Hamilton would need good numbers
and a solid performance if they were to put themselves back in the win column. Unfortunately
for the Wildcats, finding enough players would again be an issue as the end of summers seems
to not only bring many family vacations and weddings, but a handful of injuries as well. The
'Cats would be without their sure handed full-forward and leading scorer Daniel Crouch (6'3"),
as well as three regular ruckman Jeff Fish (6'6"), Paul Lawson (6'7") and Kyle Skinner
(6'8"). Fourth year Wildcat Alex Thompson was thrust into the starting ruckman role for the
afternoon, as the home side hoped their speed and heart would make up for their obvious lack
of size in the middle. As the game got underway, the visiting Blues jumped out to an early lead
with some clever play from the guts, using their speed to set up their "big man" deep in the'
Wildcats zone. Hamilton welcomed back their energetic fullback Greg "Plugger" Young, who
missed the last 2 games due to personal commitments. Despite being out weighted by the
Blues full forward by at least 30 pounds and giving up well over 5 inches in height, his
impressive tagging and perfectly timed punches helped to keep the 'Cats in the game after
giving up the first goal. After a lackluster opening quarter, Hamilton hoped to counter the
Blues speed with experience of vetran players Justin Johns, Brett Hill, winger Barry
Crow (who was named B.O.G. for Hamilton) and forward Luke Main, as well as with accurate
kicks and well timed handballs. Their plan seemed to work well as the 'Cats battled back to
take the lead in the second frame and momentum looked to be swinging back into Hamilton's
favour. The 3rd showedcased much more of the same for both clubs, as Hamilton again held
onto their slim lead heading into the final quarter, thanks to valiant efforts up front from
Terry "A-Boo" Brake and Mark Krikke. Unfortunately, over confidence and a much fitter
central Blues side became the Wildcats worst enemy on this day, as the visitors kicked 3
unanswered goals as time ticked away to hold onto an impressive 7.7.49 to 5.12.48 victory.
The (6-7) Wildcats will now hit the road after a tough loss, looking for a little redemption in
their final regular season game vs. the (2-11) High Park Demons at Humber College North in
Toronto on Saturday, September 8th starting at 2pm. Please come out and support the 'Cats
as they aer on the verge of qualifying for the OAFL Playoffs for the first time in 10 years.C'arn
the WILDCATS!
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