Connecticut Cup just out of reach for thirsty Warriors

Depew Park-Peekskill, New York – The New Haven Warriors, one of three new AMNRL teams for 2006, were seeking their first win on the year and nearly surprised perennial finalist Connecticut Wildcats in a physical battle that was dead even after sixty minutes. A deep, talented bench allowed the Cats to wear down the Warriors and overcome several costly turnovers to rack up a 42-22 victory and remain unbeaten.

The teams felt each other out for a good 10 minutes of hard-charging hit-ups and bruising tackles, with the Wildcats striking first off a slashing try from Damien O’Malveney, his first of two on the day. (Wildcats 4-0) That was followed by Warriors’ Dean Walker cruising into the corner, as the teams traded scores in the first half (4 – 4) A scoot from dummy-half by match MVP Nathan Hollingsworth put the Wildcats back up for a short spell, but Siose Muliumu smashed through the Cats’ defensive line from 10 out to draw the Warriors even again. (10-10)

The difference maker in the first half came from midfield, with the clock winding down, as the Wildcats completed a set of six. Halfback Ata Izrahbahki kicked through on the last and streaking fullback Dwayne “Stitches” Eade was the first to put his toe to the ball. Hustling halfback Damien O’Malveney had the ball leap into his breadbasket, almost on command, and he placed it between the Posts. John McGeachy converted to send the teams into the half-time with the Wildcats ahead 16-10.

The teams continued to trade scores for another twenty minutes - two converted trys by Warriors’ Ewan Robinson and Siose muliumu, his second on the day, versus another for Wildcats’ Nathan Hollingsworth, saw the Warriors take their first lead at 22-20, with 20 minutes to play. But the Conference Champion Wildcats’ seemed to take control the rest of the way on both sides of the ball, as their offense began to click and the defense refused to give the Warriors another sniff.

A series of stops and completed sets led to 22 unanswered points to the Wildcats, in what amounted to an unblemished final quarter of play. First, fullback Dwayne Eade touched down out wide through several sets of hands and then Danny Bull shredded the heart of the Warriors’ defense from 60 meters out. The final blow came as Damien O’Malveney put a perfectly weighted chip through that was pounced on by Ben Kelly and converted by John McGeachy, who was five of seven on the day, plus two penalty goals, to give him 14 points on debut.

Credit goes to Wildcats’ O’Malveney, Eade and Ben Kelly, who seemed to appear when on cue, whenever the Cats needed some momentum, and the pack of Will Brazier, Michael McGeachy, Mike lee and Curtis Cunz, that led a relentless Wildcats’ go-forward. For the Warriors, Blair Wards and Christian Rahui were tireless and Ewan Robinson appeared a threat on every touch, but it was Miulumu who stood out.

The Wildcats took home 5 points with the win, to bring them into a first place tie with the Knights and the Warriors got their first point by scoring four tries. Next week the Wildcats host the Knights in a battle of the unbeatens, while the Warriors travel to the Raiders, as both teams search for that elusive first win.

Box score –

Game Date: 6/10/06
Game Time: 2:00 pm
Game Venue: Depew Park – Peekskill, New York
Referee: Robert Irwin
Full Time Score - Connecticut Wildcats 42 def New Haven Warriors
Half Time: Wildcats 16 - Braves 10
Wildcats Try Scorers: Hollingsworth (2) (MVP); O’Malveney (2); Bull; Kelly; Eade; Scheel;
Wildcats Goals: John McGeachy (conversions - 5/7; penalty goals 2/2) Warriors Try Scorers: Miulumu (2); Robinson; Walker
Warriors Goals: Wards (3/4)

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