Cats Claim Inaugural Deserters¹ Cup
Source: wilcatsrugby.com

Andrews Field; Norwalk, Conn. - On a warm, rainy day the Connecticut Wildcats roared out of their cage with a convincing 34-20 victory against last Year’s AMNRL Champion New York Knights in the first ever sanctioned Rugby league match played in the state of Connecticut.

The Cats drew first blood early on as the Mole put vice-captain Ben Kelly neatly through a gap down the left side and then converted the try, as the Cats went up 6-0 straight away. Minutes later, the Knights were inches away from drawing level, but Kiwi Man-giant David Bowe held up Yasakazu Seto on the Cats’ goal-line. The Mole then bashed Knights President and former Tomahawk Bob Balachandran in defense, forcing the Knights to come away empty. The Cats capitalized on the very next possession, when "Sir" Lawrence Raleigh put winger Rich Portale down the left side for 30 meters and a quick play-the-ball led to the Mole putting Kelly through yet another crack in the Knights defense and then converting; Cats 12-0.

The Knights answered back after a costly Cats’ penalty at their own 2 meter line led to a quick try in the corner by Knights center and former Waratah Craig Wells; Cats’ 12-4. At the 20 minute mark, the Cats’ extended their lead to 18-4, as Jake Shilling put guess who, Ben Kelly, away from 10 meters out. The Mole did appear a bit jealous, but converted nonetheless; Cats 18-4. Kazoo brought the Knights back to within striking distance at 18-10 with a brilliant dummy, touching down between the posts as the halftime whistle blew, and then converting.

The Cats’ were determined to pull away early in the second-half and executed an 80 meter movement in mid-season form on their second possession, leaving Knights supporters to wonder. The Mole spun the ball wide on the fourth tackle to Ben Kelly who put Skipper Stelluti into a dangerous encounter with Christian "the Rock" Rahui, in what appeared to be a case of the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. The "the Locomotive" lived up to his billing, however, as he shoulder blocked the Knights vice-captain down to his back in a collision that brought cringe and awe from the crowd. Stelluti turned up-field toward his next victim and offloaded in the attempted tackle to 19 year-old Daniel Ferris striking in the line from fullback. Young Daniel drew 2 defenders to the left wing and threaded the needle between them, back inside to the winger Portale on a switch. Portale finished from 50 out between the posts, Meninga-style, and the Mole converted again; Cats 24-10.

Next, in an ironic twist of fate, the Cats’ Ben Kelly put the Mole into some space and two dummies later, the Mole was dotting down from midfield. According to the Cat’s supporters, Kazoo said "Where’d he go?" and Astill replied, "Where’d who go?" The Mole converted to go a perfect 5 from 5 on the day; Cats 30-10. Next up for the Cats was Luke Sawyer who shook off 1 defender and used his free hand to touch down in the corner, while fending off another; Cats 34-10.

The Knights refused to lay down, running in the last two scores on the day, one from Craig Smith and the second from Richie Warr as the whistle blew. The final score saw the Cats with 34 and the Knights 20. The Cats collected 5 points in league play and the Knights 1.

Debutant Dave Lloyd put in a blue-collar performance for the Cats as did front-rowers David Bowe and young NYAC strongman Mike McGeachy, each of whom were captured on film powering up at the half-time with Red Bull. Other playing well for the Cats included the Mole, who narrowly missed Man-of-the-Match honors; Pablo; and Sean Byrne; for the Knights were Craig Wells and Richie Warr.

Post match, both teams retired to O’Neil’s Pub and the Stella Artois Man-of-the-Match honors were presented by the Cats’ Danny Bull. For the Cats’, Ben Kelly’s hat-trick claimed the day and for the Knights; The Rock’s tireless defense and countless line breaks edged out a workman-like performance by skipper Matt Astill. The winners received Stella hats, Polo shirts and lovely Stella glasses. The Mole also received a mysterious award entitling him to a Stella glass and sleek black Stella women’s tank top, which he was required to wear for 10 minutes and then pass to the hottest girl in the bar. He smartly chose his lovely wife Monica. AMNRL President and CEO David Niu officiated the game and was also presented with a Stella glass. Niu congratulated both sides and said a few words on behalf of the league.

The Deserters’ Cup, aptly named after the New York Knights’ backline, who up and left after last year’s Grand Final victory, was presented by Knights Skipper Matt Astill to the Cats’Greg Stelluti.

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