High-level rugby teams looking for fans (Connecticut Post - 6/29/07)

MICHAEL FORNABAIO mfornabaio@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 06/28/2007 11:51:06 PM EDT

Maybe Ben Kelly isn't the most objective person when it comes to rugby league. But the Connecticut Wildcats player is convinced fans around here can become hooked on the game in a hurry. That's one reason he's helping promote a Saturday game between the Wildcats and the New Haven Warriors at Law High School in Milford. There's no admission charge for the 6:30 p.m. start. "I promise you're going to see an amazing, physical, fast game," Kelly said. "The game is so fast and so physical, and it's very easy to understand."

The Wildcats are defending champions of the American National Rugby League, a circuit with 10 teams up and down the East Coast. The Wildcats (4-0) are tied for the lead in the American National Rugby League with 20 points. New Haven (2-2) is third with 13 points. "New Haven is quality," Kelly said. "They have a very strong feeder club, the Old Blacks."

New Haven has several players from New Zealand; the Wildcats have several from Australia. "Just that rivalry alone makes it very intense," Kelly said. "They're really up among the top two or three teams in the country, and we're undefeated national champions."

Kelly came to the United States from his native Sydney, Australia, in 2003 to play rugby. He's the fitness director at Creative Health and Fitness in Milford, and he's a sponsor of Saturday's game. They've put together posters, with Kelly facing down New Haven's Siose Muliumu, to promote the game. "We're excited to actually show (the sport) to a broader public," Kelly said. The Wildcats play rugby league; several rules are different from rugby union, which is the rugby that Americans are most likely to have seen. One key difference makes rugby league a little more like American football: Similar to the four-down system, 13-man rugby league teams have six tackles to score a "try," getting the ball over the opponent's try line on the ground.
"It's not stop-start like American football," Kelly said. "It's a lot more physical and athletic than rugby. There are over 300 collisions each game. It's widely regarded as the most physically intense contact sport."

Tries are worth four points. A conversion kick after a try is worth two points; a field goal, on a drop kick, is worth one. There are also two-point penalty goals. American National Rugby League

• WHO — Connecticut Wildcats vs. New Haven Warriors
• WHEN — Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
• WHERE — Law High School, Milford

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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What is Rugby League?

Rugby League is fast, exciting and spectacular. It's a game played by powerful athletes who experience over 300 collisions during 80 minutes of play. It's a game that takes your breath away - literally! Combine the players' athleticism with ingenious strategies to crack the defences, and you will see why Rugby League is a spectator sport that just can't be beaten.

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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Wildcats Win 8th Consecutive Deserter’s Cup

By Mike Lee

Spectators enjoyed an exciting test of Rugby League!

June 22, 2007 – NYC – Reigning AMNRL Champion Connecticut Wildcats took their show on the road for the second straight week and again came away with a win - this time with a bit of luck. On a beautiful Friday night at Pier 40 in Manhattan, the Wildcats turned in an ugly, albeit effective performance. The Cats started the match without several starters, as Damien O’Malveney and Ben Kelly were caught up in a ridiculous NYC traffic accident, while Dan Power and Gareth Gibbs are both on the injured reserve and winger Nick Vornle was away on assignment. Making matters worse, the Champs dropped dozens of balls while in space and their penalty count was in the stratosphere – if ever the stars were aligned to hand the Wildcats and first year head-coach Tim Gee a loss…….it was this night.

That said, the Knights scored first out wide, off a piggy-back set – into the wind - through the hands of Adam Nables, to take a 4-0 lead. But the Wildcats regrouped with the arrival of O’Malveney, front-runner for this year’s MVP award, and things took a turn in the Cats’ direction. O’Malveney simply imposed his will on the Knights’ defense in a freakish display of athleticism, as he bagged two outrageous meat pies from long distance and put the Cats on top (Cats 12-4). Danny Bull crashed through out wide to extend the lead (Cats 16-4), but the Knights would not quit, as Nables struck again with a perfectly weighted grubber-through from 10 meters out that was touched down and converted (Cats 16-10). Just before the half, Wildcats’ winger Eric Shrauger caused a bit of stir amongst the anti-doping community as he raced in from 60 out in front the home crowd, leaving many scratching their heads and frantically pounding their cell phones (Halftime – Cats 22 – 10). Wildcats’ CEO Rich Portale seemed concerned “Shagga” may not be around long, “I had to shut off my mobile Friday night from the influx of calls coming in from teams overseas.”

Ben Kelly started the second half with a vengeance and moved the Cats’ line forward, despite running into a strong headwind. Picking up where he left off, O’Malveney engaged a preposterous disappearing act to touch down yet again from well past mid-field, giving him another hat-trick and a bizarre 10 tries in the first 4 games this season (Cats 28-10). Nables then reappeared himself for the Knights– shuffling through a staggered Cats’ line to cut the deficit (Cats 28 – Knights 14). Halfway through the second, O’Malveney was determined to shed a potential “scorer” brand and he put playboy Matt Pittman (apparently a lover and a footballer) through what could only just be described as gaps, for two more from over the half-way line (Cats 38-20). In the last 10 minutes, the Knights to their credit, staged a furious comeback and reeled off the final 10 points of the match to close to within two scores (Wildcats 38 – Knights 30).

Not to be overlooked was the hard work of Cats’ forwards Curtis Cunz and Nick Isbrandtsen, who was aiming for a second straight MVP performance, and former Wildcat Michael McGeachy. McGeachy running-on in a Knights’ jumper for 2007, turned in a solid performance. Man of the Match was the illusionist - O’Malveney and best for the Knights was Nables, who had a hand in every successful Knights’ movement.

Wildcats’ Coach Tim Gee had this to say, “We were lucky to get away with a win, there were a few positive things – but we still have a lot of work to do.”

Next week the Knights look to get back into the race as they square off against the Raiders, while the Cats face their toughest test of the young season at Jonathon Law High School in Milford, CT., against the New Haven Warriors. The game is sponsored by Subway and will feature a martial arts demonstration before the match, the Jonathan Law Cheerleaders performing at the half-time, as well as a live National Anthem. Admission is free.

Box score

Game Date: 6/22/07
Game Time: 8:30 pm
Game Venue: “The Castle” – Pier 40 - NYC
Referee: Robert Irwin
Full Time Score - Connecticut Wildcats 38 – New York Knights 30
Half Time: Wildcats 22 - Knights 10
Knights’ Try Scorers: Adam Nables (2); Gareth Boxengale
Knights’ Goals: Nables (3/6)
Wildcats’ Try Scorers: Damien O'Malveney (3), Matt Pittman (2), Danny Bull, Eric Shrauger
Wildcats’ Goals: Tim Gee 5/7

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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Only In New York

Friday night saw me leave Milford at 5:30 to get to “The Castle” at Pier 40 in Manhattan.

I hit snail paced traffic at Stamford on '95 and it took me 1 hour to get to the New York border from there.

7.30 comes and I am still meandering along at a torturous pace. I call Hot Rod and tell him that I am going to be late and to plan on starting without me.

Kickoff 8.30 and I finally get freed up at the Triboro and am hammering it to get to the game. Ian talks me through some directions and what is going on. They score, we score, we score. At traffic lights I am pulling my kit on socks, boots. I pull up outside drop my strides and put me shorts on grab my headgear and mouthguard and bolt in. Ian (thanx Mate) parks my car for me.

I run in to see the boys just sitting down for half time, which is not a good feeling at all. I have let my team down. We are up by 8 points. The first 5 minutes we roll through their defense and score. Back at the halfway line waiting for Wizz to kick the conversion, I realize my shorts are inside out and back to front, so I drop em where I stand and carry on. Our attack was very good in spots, but we drop the ball too many times and let the Knights back into the game. We finally get the bacon by 8 points, but our coach is not happy at all and gives us a spray.

We are now 4-0 and next Saturday Night at 6pm at Jonathon Law is something that I implore you not to miss. New Haven Warriors have a formidable side stocked with quality players none better than New Zealand born Siose Faimuloa, a strapping 285 pound athlete who has great feet and phenomenal ball skills. On our side Aussie Matt Pitman who plays in number 12 is a bit lighter but also has great ball skills and is very quick.

It is going to be a cracker!!

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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Wildcats 46 - DC 16

We played DC in Washington on a cow paddock full of rocks Saturday and it will be the first time that I am actually looking forward to playing on fake grass this Friday in New York.

Apparently it had been raining for three days in DC prior to our arrival, which was amazing considering the state of the pitch. Disgraceful would be too kind a word.

We were slow out of the blocks and DC scored first off one of our mistakes, but once we controlled the pill (ball) we were unstoppable. We were undefeated National Champs last season and are continuing to roll along nicely this campaign going 3-0.

I flew down Saturday morn and back that night (lot better than 5-6 hours in a car) which was beautiful. Sebastian, Ion, and myself were icing some injuries on the flight home and as you will see below, Seb got some sympathy of a very fine Venezuelan Chicka out of the airport who he was chatting up all the way home.

Sebastian getting carried off the plane by Danny and a Beautiful Venezuelan lady
who just happened to change seating behind Seb.
I think he got a bad “Charlie Horse”, but he wasn’t complaining walking off the plane

The pain was all gone after he said 'au revoir' to Miss Venezuela.

This Friday night in Manhatton at “The Castle” at Pier 40, the season really heats up with the New York Knights. The Knights give us tough games every time we face off and this game is going to be no different. It will be war for 80 minutes then the boys will head over to the Knights local and be best mates over a few beers and a feed. That’s Footy!!

8-Pound Ball

8 pound ball is phenomenal for a rock hard core. We see how many contacts in 10 seconds.
34 is the record, next time you are in, give it a whirl.

Kristen going bananas on the ball - 28 contacts.

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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Testimonial from Lozza Bozza

Ok, here are my demands. If you put a quote on the front page of your blog…it has to be “He’s a great leader and motivator because he’s passionate about what he teaches.”

I don’t want anyone thinking you saved my life.

Also, I need to approve any picture because pictures add 10 lbs… and it would need to be a new one.

Eddie does think I’m demanding…I don’t know why……

Lori Bozza

Challenge Winner

Last week saw the culmination of our second weight/fat loss challenge. Sandra and I had 10 great participants and I am proud to say that all 10 of em stuck it out.

Monica Abelli and Art Ratner tied on weight loss but Monica pipped the ArtfullDodger for the title. Monica was an absolute joy to have on the challenge as I am sure everyone can attest. I will never forget the look on her astonished face as she jumped on the scale first week and she had dropped 12 crackin pounds. Monica was truly amazed and she has smiled, laughed and worked her arse off to achieve her goal, which was to win the whole gig.

Note: Monica had her goal card and read it religiously 3 times a day.

Results were:

I am very proud of the crew for sticking together through this very challenging period. There were many, many tears shed throughout but I am sure everyone was very glad they stuck it out. I know Sandra and myself truly wanted all 10 to finish the 8 weeks for the platform is now set to really get rolling. Congratulations to everyone involved

Sandra is continuing on with Maryanne, Judie, and Monica to get them into tip top shape and,

I have Red, Art, Lori, Corinne and Deb now as my clients together at 5 bells Mon, Wed and Fri. They are now conditioned clients; the fun is only just starting to begin!!

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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Ben's Circuit Training Class

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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The Wildcats Flog the Fight

The National champion Wildcats kicked off our championship defense on Saturday with a convincing 64-4 flogging over a depleted Philadelphia Fight.

We literally ran over the fight, and it was a great tune up for the tough matches ahead. We have relatively easy game next week then have 4 big ones. The game on the 30th of June is at Jonathon Law High School and I encourage to come and see the action. It will be like NOTHING you have ever seen before. Fast, physical no holds barred action!!

The biggest shot I got on the weekend was from my teammates Junior and Matty in the warmup!
That’s what happens when you run half arsed.

Junior and I locking up the attacker

Giving the opposition the don’t argue with Percy and Seb in support.

On the attack

"eatclean-staylean" - BK

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