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Knights Fight Back to Tie Wildcats 28-28 2006-06-17

After a Herculean second half effort, the New York Knights almost pulled off the biggest come from behind victory in the history of the AMNRL by scoring an amazing 4 trys in the second half to tie the Connecticut Wildcats at their home pitch in Connecticut. Playing in 90 degree heat with a limited reserve bench, the Knights began their "Crusade" with the opening kickoff in the second half after trailing the Wildcats 22-4. "I can't tell you how happy I am with the way the boys played today, it was gutsy for them to do what they did and we almost pulled it off!." exclaimed the gleeful Knights Captain Matt Astill.

The first half brought disappointment to the Knights and was marked by several dropped balls and forced defensive errors. The Wildcats were able to capitalize on the Knight's defensive mistakes, making several line breaks through the center of the defensive line. The Knights backs also struggled in both defense and offense; showing very little creativity when they did have the ball in their hands. Despite their frustrating first half play, the Knights did end the half on a good note after a double cut out pass from halfback and Vice-Captain Adam Nable found the waiting hands of winger Luca Loguercio, whose try put the Knights on the score board for the first time in the game!

After a bit of "spray" from the senior players during the half time talks, the Knights started the second half in a more typical Knights fashion. The scoring started a few minutes into the second half with Knights and Tomahawks winger Tom Schienzbach bobbing and weaving his way to the try line to score the first of four trys that half. The Knights were then rewarded again by a try scored by second row Salesi "Chas" Tongamoa. This was Tongamoa's debut game for the Knights, and he made his presence known on both sides of the ball all game.

Just when the Wildcats thought that it was over, the Knights scored again thanks to the great effort by hooker Gareth Baxendale. Baxendale who is the leading try scorer on the team so far this year, was able to punch in his 5th try of the season from a quick scoot from dummy half. After a try by the Wildcats late in the second half put them on top of the Knights 28-22. With only a few minutes left to play in the game, earning his "Guinness Man of the Match" honors, Chas Tongamoa again stepped up to the plate by taking a well placed short ball from the inside of Vice-Captain Gill Cieutat and plowed his way over the Wildcats try line! Thanks to the sure foot of Adam Nable, the extra point was good and the score was now even at 28-28. Unfortunately for the Knights time had run out before they could get into scoring position after the restart after the score.

While the momentum had certainly swung in the Knights favor in the second half, a few of the Knights younger players were disappointed that they had not won the game. Speaking from the sideline to his players Cieutat the game up best (in a heavy French accent) "...in a game like that it is best to be happy with your performance, take the points, and prepare for the next game!"

Playing well for the Knights were Manny Saez (lock), Logan Johnstone (center), Adam Nable(halfback), Col Manners (fullback), Joe Hughes (prop), Ryan Mulligan (prop), Chris Martin (interchange), Hayden James(interchange). The Knights will prepare this week for their first home game of the season against the Boston Braves this Saturday night at the "Castle".

(1.Manners 2.Loguercio 3. Balachandran 4.Johnstone 5.Schienzbach 6. Cieutat 7.Sharples 8.Mulligan 9.Baxendale 10.Astill 11. Tongamoa 12. Hughes 13.Saez 14.Martin 15. "TLG" James 16.Treacher)

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