The 2004 C. D. Ferrainola Cup Competition kicks off in fine style

Big wins for the Wildcats, Bulls, Slayers and Fight marked the opening round of the AMNRL 2004 Season in unseasonably hot conditions. Highlights of the opening rounds saw the Bulls, Wildcats, Fight and Slayers register maximum competition points though win and try bonus points. The exceptional goal kicking of Mike Mulvihill, Ric Dortone, Marcus Vassilakopoulos and Jeff Preston was reflected in the missed conversion of only one try between them, a statistic that might be of interest as the season develops. Mulvihill has long been the super boot of the AMNRL Competition, but it appears a number of other contenders have thrown out the challenge in 2004.

In the Lincoln Conference, the Wildcats reaffirmed the early season suggestions that they would be the team to beat in 2004, backing up from their inaugural Championship season in 2003. Without star international players, Danny Bull, Mike McGeachy and Greg Stelutti, the Wildcats thumped a rebuilding Knights squad by 48-0 in the second match of a double header at the Second Annual Michael Bartone "Scrum for Six" Benefit Rugby event to raise funds for the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

The Knights were without a number of starters and will be once again a tough outfit in 2004. Their home match against the Bulls in Manhattan on June 5 will be a super match up. The return of Matt Astill and Christian Rahui to the Knights squad from injury will be good news for the USA Tomahawks coaching staff, although Rahui aggravated a shoulder problem and was forced to leave the field at halftime.

In the early match the Bulls defeated a determined Northern Raiders Squad by 34-12. The young Raiders showed plenty of commitment, and will be a force to be reckoned with, as new coach Ben Kelly has the opportunity to develop his young players.

The Bulls once again showed plenty of promise and will look to the experience of Vassilakopoulos, Mains, Woodbridge, Hollingsworth and Sheridan to guide them around the paddock. The Bulls still have a bad taste in their mouths from last season championship match, which they were comprehensively beaten by the Wildcats. The rematch on June 19 at Glen Mills will be an exciting battle.

Action in the Franklin Conference saw the Slayers power home against a determined Sharks outfit by 58-20. The Sharks led for the greater portion of the match, only to surrender to a fast finishing Slayers squad that will seriously challenge for post-season honors in 2004. The Sharks will be determined to erase the final quarter blues from their performances, as they have suffered from in past seasons in vital matches with a victory in their sights.

The Slayers have recruited well and look to have an exciting balance of youth and experience, with Tomahawks Internationals Marty O'Donoghue, David Faimanifo, and Ric Dortone, leading from the front. The Sharks will look to the experience of new coach, Adam Dunn, to guide them to the post season and the Cup Final, which has been so near in recent seasons.

The Philadelphia Fight kicked off their 2004 campaign in tremendous fashion by downing the Delaware Mantarays by 30-4 at Swarthmore College. Superboot Jeff Preston converted each of the Fight's five tries, as the Fight look to have rebuilt over the past couple of seasons to develop a squad that will seriously challenge for top place in the Franklin Conference in 2004.

The Mantarays led by Fred Gruhler, Tim Griffiths and Dave Divalerio will improve as the season unfolds, and the opportunity for young players like Joe Bascelli to showcase their talents is exciting.

Round two will see some fantastic matchups with the highlight being the Franklin Conference clash between the Fight and the Slayers, and the Lincoln Conference battle between the Knights and the Bulls.

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