ROUND #8 GAME REPORT: Hamilton Wildcats (4-2) v Broadview Hawks (3-4) (@ University of Toronto - Scarborough Campus, Toronto, ON.)
After suffering a nailbiting loss versus the Gargoyles just before the Canada Day long weekend, Hamilton had an extra week to get back to the basics at training, and prepare for what looked to be a potential Finals match-up against an extremely talented Hawks club on their home turf. Hamilton has always had trouble away from home, and the Hawks have seemed to have had their number over the last few encounters.
The Wildcats were making their first visit to the new home of the Broadview Hawks at the University of Toronto (Scarborough Campus), and despite not yet playing at the new oval, Hamilton's spirits were riding high after a great showing versus Guelph a round earlier and 2 solid training sessions heading into this match-up. As mentioned earlier, the Hawks have been able to hold off the Wildcats over the last couple of meetings, but during that time both Clubs have really taken up a bit of a rivalry and definitely match-up well all around the ground. Broadview definitely gets the nod in the height department, especially up front, but Hamilton's backline lead by Justin Johns, rookie Drew Dupras, Eben Schaeffer & Justin Settle have been giving opposing offenses headaches all season long.
Hamilton welcomed back veteran ruckman Paul Lawson, after missing the last 4 games due to injury, and he didn't waste any time making his presence felt as he used all of his 6'7" frame to advantage, willing 90% of the taps to open the game. Broadview took an early lead after some great ball movement across the oval, which lead to Aussie newcomer Conor Dullard kicking true from 30m out. Hamilton knew that this game definitely wasn't going to end in a shutout, as both Clubs have lit-up the scoreboard in season's past, and it looked like that trend would continue as the Wildcats evened the score shortly after on a great snap goal by veteran Charles Thompson from just inside 40m. After a bit of back and forth scoring, the first quarter ended with the Hawks holding a slight lead(3.2.20 to 2.0.12), but Hamilton was gaining momentum just before the 1st intermission.
After a very positive first 20mins versus a much bigger team, Hamilton made a few adjustments to start the 2nd frame and came out firing on all cylinders. After finishing the 1st quarter down by 8, quick goals from Brett Aiken, Justin Settle who moved up to play in the guts and another from C. Thompson, the Wildcats took the lead for the first time on the day and headed into halftime up by 4 points. The quick runs off the back flanks, crisp hands & accurate kicks forward by the Wildcats seemed to catch the Hawks on their heals, and sent them into the break scratching their heads. Despite the slim lead, Hamilton knew they would be in for a tough ask the rest of the way against a more experiences Broadview side.
As predicted, the Hawks come out to start the 3rd flying high, and eventually regained the lead after a very strong quarter, kicking 3.2 to Hamiltons' 2.0. Now the shoe was on the other foot for the Wildcats, and time definitely wasn't on their side. Down 4 points heading into the final 20mins and not playing on a ground they were very familiar with, everything they've been drilled with at training the last 2 weeks would now be put to the test. Both teams were battling hard in the middle of the ground, and as the backlines for each Club began to lock all offensive attacks down, it looked like the team that would score last would come away with a big 4 points on the day. Thanks to some incredibly selfless plays by pint-sized hard nut Luke Lombardini, winger Derek Rutten, rookie forward flank Alex Pawliwec, veteran forward Mike Travers who provided an excellent target up front all day, and the tireless efforts from alternating ruckmen Cam Teague & P. Lawson (2 goals on the day) Hamilton eventually ran out winners on the day by the same margin they were down to start the 3rd...4 points.
HAMILTON WILDCATS 11.3.69 def. BROADVIEW HAWKS 10.5.65
HAMILTON GOALS: B. Aiken (3), C. Thompson (2), P. Lawson (2), J. Settle (2), D. Rutten, L. Lombardini HAMILTON BEST: D. Dupras, P. Lawson, J. Johns, D. Rutten, M. Travers, E. Schaeffer
*for full GAME STATS, please click link: https://websites.mygameday.app/round_info.cgi?a=MATCH&fixture=122931040&c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&pool=1
NEXT GAME: Saturday, July 16th/11, (5-2) Hamilton Wildcats v (4-4) Toronto Dingos at Mohawk Sports Park, Hamilton, ON @ 11am. MAP: https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-7394-110437-142013-14207859&sID=160735
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C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 14/10/2011 02:50