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Atlanta/New York B v Golden Gate/Mojave A cool start to the day greeted all players at the Milwaukee Polo Fields for the start of the Accenture 2005 USAFL National Championships. New York had bought a pretty strong squad for the Division 3 team but were lacking Non Australians. Atlanta were light in numbers but did have 7 non Australians to help the cause, so everything looked good. The fields at Milwaukee this year were huge especially field 1 & 2 as big as you would ever play on and although Atlanta/New York B had a fairly "experienced" team it appeared to suit us more than our opposition for this first game. Benny Crist started in the center with Cave, Kewley and Collins in the back half. Kraska was at CHF. The game started fast and GG/Mojave were out of the blocks with a quick goal and had threatened to score a few more. Co coaches Diamond & Oliver threw the team around a bit and got things moving. Kewley doing sensationally in the back half with Cave was good to see. Marty Hyder slipped on in the second half and turned a chance into a great goal. The running players of the Atlanta/New York B team in the second half were too good for the GG/Mojave outfit and a comfortable win was had. Kraska clashing with the biggest man in USfooty Ironmonger and surprisingly coming out of it with just a sore shoulder. A great first up win with plenty of good signs for the games remaining. Atlanta/New York B 2.3 6.7.43 Golden Gate/Mojave 1.1 1.1.7 Goals Atlanta: Hyder 1 Best Players: Kraska, Kewley, B Collins, Crist, Cave Atlanta/New York B v Vancouver This game due to be played at 2.00pm was delayed three hours when Vancouver players were held up at the border through no fault of their own. Atlanta/New York B agreed to the delay rather than forcing the first team from Canada to play at the Nationals to forfeit there second game of the day. A decision maybe that was to cost us later maybe as Vancouver came to play. Sporting some of the best players running around in Div 3 the Cougars dominated the Atlanta/New York B team in the first half breaking out to handy lead of 18 points at the main break. Crist & Kewley for Atlanta trying hard to stem the flow with Roberson chipping in for support. In the second half Atlanta/New York B combination fought back hard getting within 6 points helped with goals to Kraska and the great Marty Hyder slipping one through. A pleasure to watch the skills of the big man. But the damage had been done and the Canadian team had their first win of the USAFL Championships. Their team was very even throughout with some quality players, easily a team that could have possibly done well in Div 2 or higher. Atlanta/New York B 1.1 2.5.17 Vancouver 4.1 4.10.34 Goals Atlanta: Kraska , Hyder 1 each. Best Players: Crist, Kewley, B Collins, Kraska, Hyder Atlanta/New York B v Minnesota Sunday morning brought more bright sunshine and the last of the pool games for Div 3. The Atlanta/New York B squad had to win by a huge margin against the new Minnesota team if they were to figure in the finals. Minnesota scored the first goal which wasn't a good start and the game showed some tired legs on both teams. The magic of Marty Hyder was again present with a dazzling goal along with Ben Crist who got the Atlanta/New York B team back into the game before the first half was over with a great individual effort. Mike Powers slipped out there between umpiring games left right and center and Alan Mobley a made comeback. Kewley who was fast becoming Mr. Consistent and was having another great game along with Collins & Kraska. In the second half Atlanta/New York B peppered the goals but just couldn't seem to score. A stiff breeze blowing added pressure on the players scoring chances. In the end a solid win but not enough to see the Atlanta/New York B team through to the final. The tournament for the two clubs was a great success, the welcome the Atlanta players got from the much larger New York contingent was great and some new friendships were forged. Atlanta/New York B 5.6.36 Minnesota 2.8. 20 Goals Atlanta: Crist, Hyder 1 each Best Players: Crist, Kewley, Kraska, B Collins, Hyder
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