WILDCATS AIM FOR BACK-TO-BACK TITLES IN CUP FINAL VII

Cup Final Night 2004 for will see a rematch of last year's Championship Match with the Glen Mills Bulls taking on the Connecticut Wildcats.



Both clubs have produced strong performances all season, and should present a tremendous battle to see who will lift up the C. D. Ferrainola Cup on Saturday evening.

The Bulls have enjoyed a winning season, having only been beaten by the Wildcats in Norwalk in the final match of the regular schedule. The Wildcats tasted defeat at the hands of the Bulls at Glen Mills and the Sharks in Sea Isle. Going into the Cup Final not much separates either side.

Some interesting matchups across the field may determine the outcome of the match.

A number of these include: -

The Fullbacks:
Erik Hollingsworth (Bulls) and Nate Smith (Wildcats)

Hollingsworth has been playing the best football of his career on the back of his performance as the Bulls MVP in Cup Final 2003. He has been Mr. Reliable for the Bulls and how he disarms the Wildcats kicking game is critical to the Bulls chances.

Smith is a product of the University of Louisville Division One Football Program, and recently spent time with the Parramatta Eels Australian NRL Club to develop his skills. He is blessed with lightning speed and rare talent that have excited many during his short stint in the game of Rugby League. Dangerous link man and will need to be watched closely in the open field.

The Halves:
Marcus Vassilakopoulos, David Niu (Bulls) and Ben Mathers, Mike Mulvihill (Wildcats)

Both teams will rely on these combinations to guide them around the park and who dominates in this area of the field will determine the 2004 Champion. It's no secret that the ball will visit most often the hands of each of these players, and as a consequence who can make best use of the possession they have will be pivotal to their team's chances. Vassilakopoulos has had a tremendous influence on the Bulls this season and is pressing for MVP honors. Mathers has been the rock around which the Wildcats have built their 2004 campaign in the unfamiliar role of flyhalf. Mulvihill will look to run while Niu will look to pass. The ability of these two to select the other option at vital times may prove to be the X factor in Cup Final VII.

The Locks:
Danny Bull (Wildcats) and Shayne Mains (Bulls)

Injuries have disrupted the season of these two Tomahawks internationals and fitness may be an issue for one or both of them. Fully fit and healthy, either one of these players can dominate in defence and offense. Both are powerful ball runners, with Bull having silky ball skills to complement his running game. Mains will work tirelessly in defence, and the contest between these two will be exciting and entertaining. The Bulls and Wildcats look to each player for inspiration, momentum and something special when the going is tough.

The Props:
Will Brazier (Wildcats) and Ed Woodbridge (Bulls)

Young Brazier is the future of the USA Tomahawks engine room. Fearless, tough and uncompromising he plays way beyond his age and will go forward in both defence and offense for the Wildcats. Woodbridge has forged a reputation as the toughest man in US Rugby League. His no nonsense style and durability has been proven against all opposition at every level of the game. The energy of these two props will be easily visible.

The Human Wrecking Balls:
Greg Stelutti (Wildcats) and Joe Becker (Bulls)

Advice to those within the cross hairs of these two at any given time whilst they have ball in hand or shoulder charge at the ready....DUCK, DIVE, DODGE or prepare for a world of pain.

The Line Breakers:
Brock Mathers (Wildcats) and Chris Craig (Bulls)

Big and powerful, they can run over or around you. Both can offload and step in traffic and will cause plenty of headaches for defenders all night.

The Dancers:
Rich Portale (Wildcats) and Matt Shannon (Bulls)

Stepping and weaving in tight spaces is no small feat, and these two players have developed an uncanny ability of creating something from nothing. Portale will dart out of dummy half given half a chance and Shannon will use his strength to bump and run off defenders.

The Injured:
Dave Lloyd (Wildcats) and Cory Sheridan (Bulls)

Both teams have lost key players to injury. It may be unspoken come game time but you can be sure either team will be wishing they had these guys on their respective starting lineups. Sometimes injuries to key players have a delayed effect on teams as the season evolves. It might not impact things immediately but when the pressure is on you just can't do without key personnel in key roles.

Whatever the result of this season's Championship Match the winner will have earned their rights to be crowned Champion of Rugby League in the USA. Some good teams have been knocked out of the race for the Cup. Who can fault the exciting challenge all season long of the Northern Raiders, or the developing powerhouse in DC with the Slayers, and what club could be more disappointed then the New Jersey Sharks who again just couldn't find a way to get to the big game.

The Bulls have fallen at the final hurdle in Cup Finals V and VI. A number of Wildcats players have tasted success only in the big game. Saturday evening will determine the 2004 Ferrainola Cup Champion. Don't miss it!

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