R4 - Cats still hitting in New York

East River Park, Manhattan - An historic Rugby League match, the first ever played on the island of Manhattan, proved to be a battle not soon to be forgotten. The Connecticut Wildcats overcame gale-force winds, a torrential downpour and the relentless New York Knights attack to retain the coveted Deserter’s Cup.

The Cats took full advantage of the weather and a slick ball, continually kicking on 3rd and 4th tackle, to pin the Knights deep in their own end. The Wildcats defense forced several key turnovers, several of which they ultimately converted and proved to be the difference in an otherwise even–handed match.

The Cats drew first blood with a chip shot penalty goal by young winger Brad Troup, who was nearly spot-on for the day. In spite of the Knights strong form defense early, the Cats managed to punch through as Dave Lloyd dotted down from dummy-half (conversion – Troup); Cats 8-0. Constant pressure by the Cats and another costly penalty led to a second Troup goal; Cats 10-0.

Things were heated early as both teams were warned several times about high tackles and excessive chatter. Almost immediately, both vice-captains (Ben Kelly-Cats and Christian Rahui-Knights) were binned by Referee David Niu for fighting. Niu had his hands full all day, as both sides sweated beads of passion and intensity.

But the Knights refused to go into the half-time scoreless. They drew to within 4 on a smart, slashing line break by Richie Warr, who gobbled up the first 45 meters before off-loading to a streaking Etu Kirifi for the finish. Half-time; Cats 10 - Knights 6.

In the 2nd half the rain and wind relented but the intensity did not. After several minutes of scoreless play, the Cats pressure began to wear on the Knights defensive line and several gaps were exploited by the Cats senior staffers "Sir" Lawrence Raleigh, Danny Bull, Ben Kelly and Rich Portale, which kept the Knights on their heels. Before long, Knights’ basher Adam Hammon, who is leading the league in penalty minutes, was made to think about a dangerous play for 10 minutes in the bin. Raleigh made them pay, slipping 40 meters down the right side. Kelly then had it out to Portale the same way and he touched down in the corner; Cats 14 – 6.

Danny Bull took his turn with successive breaks down the left side. He finished the second after picking up from the base of the scrum and shrugging off a couple would-be tacklers on his way to extending the Cats lead (conversion- Troup); Cats 20-6. The Knights were made to pay once again, as Troupe slotted his 3rd penalty on the day; Cats 22-6.

A long break by Knights Craig Smith was cashed in by Craig Wells and converted by Warr and the Knights were back in it with 10 minutes left; Cats 22 – Knights 12.
Raleigh put the Knights to bed with 3 minutes to go, however, as he broke several tackles down the left sideline before stiffing fullback Rob Balachandran onto his new synthetic turf for a 50 meter payday and a critical league bonus point; Cats 26 – Knights 12.

The Cats managed to remain unbeaten in spite of traveling without two of their standouts, Mike Mulvihill and Greg Stelluti, who combined for 28 points versus the Bulls last week. Cats’ Skipper Portale praised his men at the Chelsea Brewery after the inspirational victory, "Every Wildcat stepped up today and played like a champion." There were several other standouts for the Cats including Dave Lloyd, Mike McGeachy, Isadoro Albino and Dave Nottingham; but Man-of-the-Match honors went to Danny Bull. Brad Troup was 5 from 7 on the day, including 3 crucial penalty goals. In defeat, Craig Wells edged out Richie Warr for the Knights and Christian "The Rock" Rahui was eliminated from consideration after having have won too many already.

The Cats kept sole possession of 1st place in the Lincoln Conference and the League with the 5 point win in intra-conference play (20 points), while the Knights slipped into 3rd place in the Lincoln (11 points) behind the Glen Mills Bulls (16 points).

• See Results for Points Standings
• See Game Stats

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