Year of the Wildcats?

It’s no secret that the New York Knights defeated the Glenn Mills Bulls 18-12 in last year’s AMNRL Grand Final to win the Domestic Competition in the team’s very first year.

But 2003 is shaping up to be the year of the Wildcat, as the entire Knights’ backline has left the Kingdom for the greener grass of South Norwalk, Connecticut, where they have built the newest squad in the AMNRL and a formidable challenger to capture the coveted C.D. Ferrainola Cup

Greg Stelluti, Mike Muvihill, Rich Portale and Danny Bull, each represent their country as USA Tomahawks Internationals, but will have a go in the 2003 Domestic Comp wearing a brand new Connecticut Wildcats jumper.

Ironically, the 2003 competition kicks-off with a bang on May 31, as this year’s debutant Wildcats host last year’s champion Knights. Understandably, the Wildcats’ departure has been the root of unheralded speculation among the AMNRL players and fans alike. In fact, many have been quick to assume that the bad-blood will be boiling in that opening match. But according to Portale the rumor-mill is off the mark this time around, "We all had a great deal of respect for Rob and Matty, both on and off the field (referring to Rob Balachandran –President of the Knights and Matt Astill – Skipper). It takes something very special to win a championship in a teams’ first year of existence in any sport, and we were all proud to be a part of that. This move was more about expanding the game of Rugby League and making that type of contribution to the AMNRL."

Joining the Wildcats’ four current USA Tomahawks in their quest for the 2003 AMNRL Championship are Australians Ben Kelly and "Sir" Lawrence Raleigh. Kelly and Raleigh are former NRL club players currently playing professionally in France’s Elite 1 Rugby League competition and both are looking forward to tasting life in America and the AMNRL "Wildcat Style" when their French Rugby League season finishes.

Kelly, a former Manly Sea Eagle will partner with rampaging Kiwi man-giants David Bowe, a former USA Tomahawk, and Paul Baker in the Wildcat pack, while "Sir" Walter will bolster the backline.

Also joining the Wildcats are Australian Country Rugby League (CRL) stars Jake Schilling and Armidale sensation Daniel Ferris. NYAC’s hard running backrower Chris Meredith and strongman Mike McGeachy will also pull on the Wildcat colors, as will Scottish Rugby League International David McPhale.

Along with this already impressive line up, the Wildcats will be drawing players from the four local Rugby Union clubs in the area, including White Plains, New Haven, Danbury and the Connecticut Yankees, who have already demonstrated tremendous support.

Catch the fast-paced, hard-hitting action this summer at Andrews Field beginning Saturday May 31 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets can be obtained at the gate. For more information, log on to www.wildcatsrugby.com.

Wildcats playing roster

Mike Mulvihill, Danny Bull, Rich Portale, Greg Stelluti, Ben Kelly, Lawrence Raleigh, David Bowe, Daniel Ferris, Mike McGeachy, Chris Meredith, David McPhale, Jake Schilling, Dave Nottingham, Scott "Boz" Pressler, Tony Tyson, David Lloyd, Tom Kubic, John Kubic, Bob Bishop, Isidora "Izzy" Albino, Dave Gray, Duncan Forsyth, Erick Shrauger, Texas Jon Sturman, Charles Shelley, Nick Lampese, Dave Hancock, Will Brazier, Sean Byrne, John Ryan, Luke "Axel" Foley, Jeff Beaman, Topher Scheel, Brad Troup, Mark Brandon, Rich Knazik, Kevin Valerie, Aaron Connetta, Roger Lewis, Dan Pazio.

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