Cats hunt down the Bulls
The Connecticut Wildcats combined an explosive offensive, to the tune of 7 converted tries, with a stern defensive performance to hand last year’s finalist and perennial AMNRL Champion Glen Mills Bulls their first defeat of the season.

The Bulls came out hard straight away as USA Tomahawk captain Shayne "Chief" Mains welcomed NYAC strongman Mike McGeachy to the AMNRL with one of his trademark bone-jarring tackles. But the Cats responded emphatically, turning in a well executed, hard-nosed defensive scheme that left Bulls’ playmakers Marcus Vassilakopoulos and David Niu frustrated and a bit sore.

Rich Portale led the Cats’ in defense with 20 tackles, while Ben Kelly and a resilient Mike McGeachy turned in 18 each. In his own right, Danny Bull sent two Bulls to the bench on consecutive hits. The Cats’ front row tandem of the age-less Kiwi Man-Giant David Bowe and newcomer McGeachy made a clear statement to USA Tomahawks selectors that they are a combination to be reckoned with, on both sides of the ball.

The first half saw the Cats pounce early and often, as Mike Muvihill dotted down twice; whilst Greg Stelluti, Dave Lloyd and Danny Bull were each good for one. Muvihill converted each of the Cats’ tries and Carl Barr was the lone scorer for the Bulls; halftime – Cats 30 and Bulls 6.

The second half was a closer affair as 3 Bulls touched down. Carl Barr scored his second on the day, while Mike Edwards and Eric Hollingsworth assured the Bulls would earn a much needed bonus point in League play. David Niu, sporting a brand new bionic foot on a body that some believe has already been claimed by the Metropolitan Museum of Natural Science, converted a perfect 4 from 4 on the day.

For the Cats in the second half, Greg Stelluti’s second try served as a painful reminder as to why they call him the "Locomotive", as he bashed his way through several Bulls on the way to pay dirt (Mulvihill converted). Finally, "Sir" Lawrence Raleigh took a Mike Mulvihill chip in stride for a 50 meter try at full-time (Bowe – converted). Final – Cats 42 and Bulls 24.

The win earned the Cats the top spot in the Lincoln Conference and the League with a perfect 15 League points, while Glen Mills slipped into a tie for second place with the New York Knights, each team having garnered 11 points.

Post – Match awards were presented at O’Neill’s Pub in South Norwalk. In Victory, the Stella Artois "Man-of-the-Match" honors went to Mike Mulvihill, who set a Wildcat record with 20 points on the day; although "Sir" Lawrence Raleigh, Greg Stelluti and Mike McGeachy were both very much in the running. For the Bulls, Carl Barr’s pair of tries edged out a gutsy performance on both sides of the ball from Mike Edwards. Stella Artois glasses were presented to the officiating crew – Referee Graham Desmond and touch judges Billy Horan and Mad John. Referee Desmond was also presented with a Stella Artois "Directors Chair", for putting up with an extraordinary amount of lip from an apologetic Cats’ side

• See Results for Points Standings
• See Game Stats

Back to RL News