MATCH REPORT 

The Midtown Bombers started the defense of their title with a hard fought win over a much improved Roswell Rebel team. Kicking off the Spring 2008 AARFL season, both teams went at it from the start and goals were the order of the day. First Midtown, with the overly experienced Jim Batten, playing his first game after knee surgery, kicking 2 goals after good work brought the ball down field and the very experienced Brent Bacon, making his much anticipated return to Atlanta football, kicking his first for the day. Roswell, through the speedy Carl Garofalo, got on the board with a fine individual performance. Then captain Mick Frost notched a major and the Bombers knew they were in a contest.

With Midtown missing the services of Adam Jennings in the ruck, it was left up to Ed Robinson to challenge Roswell newcomer David Evans and what a contest it turned out to be. David is new to game but has shown amazing ability in a short period of time. In the ruck and around the ground, David showed great strength and marking ability and provided Roswell with the drive they needed. Goal after goal were scored by both teams, with the omnipresent Wayne Kraska kicking 2 of his 4 goals late in the quarter and Carl Garofalo getting his second. For Midtown, their center line of Paul Cargal and Jimmy Glenn were providing great drive out of the middle and, with Curtis Jones running out of the backline, they all kicked goals. At the end of the first quarter, it was Roswell 5.4 trailing Midtown 6.4

The 2nd Quarter produced another swag of goals, but unfortunately for Roswell, it was Midtown doing the scoring, outscoring their opponents 7 goals to 1. Ed Robinson, continuing to battle David Evans in the ruck, was able to get down field to kick 3 goals and Curtis Jones launching them from the middle scored 2. Midtown newcomer Jason Peters got on the board for his first goal in Australian Rules Football  and, with David Evans, has become a valuable addition to the club. Paul Cargal snuck in for his second goal before Carl Garofalo continued his fine work around the ground with another goal. Roswell were hampered by the hamstring injury to Nick Miklowski and missed his drive out of the middle. It was Midtown who made most of the injury and the slight breeze to forge ahead and, at the half time break, led 13.11 to 6.8, a 45 point margin.

The 3rd Quarter showed a renewed Roswell team come out full of running and taking the game to Midtown. Carl Garofalo was everywhere and provided drive out of the middle. Up forward, Kraska combined with Thomas Berry for a goal each as the latter showed his improved understanding of the game with a fine mark and sharp handpass to Kraska for a couple of easy goals. Midtown were being overrun and it was only late goals from Cargal and Wayne Mitchell, another defender coming down field to provide an extra man up forward, that allowed Midtown to keep there distance from Roswell. Old man Batten was able to soccer in his third goal after some fine tackling from Robinson allowed the ball to come free and bounce conveniently into Batten’s path. The quarter finished with both teams showing the effects of the 20 minute quarters, now being played in the AARFL, with the score being Midtown 17.15 to Roswell 9.11.

The last quarter was all Midtown as the effects of Roswell’s third quarter fast pace started to tell. Midtown scored early and often and were able to ease up in the latter part of the quarter. Goals to Robinson (2), Bacon (2), Batten (2), Peters, Mitchell and Glenn really put the game away before a belated Roswell comeback gave them much optimism for the future. Garofalo got 3 more goals to bring his tally to 7, Kraska bagged his fourth and the veteran Tim Roberson chipped in for his first and Roswell’s 14^th. But in the end, it was a strong performance from the highly experienced Midtown team that gave them their first win and front runner status for the season.

For Roswell, there is much to be happy about. They showed a lot of fight and just ran out of puff in the last quarter. With the return of Brent Kewley, Jim Whooley and, possibly Benny Crist (after his wedding), they have a bright future ahead of them. The 79 point margin of victory was not indicative of how close this game was and we look set for another entertaining AARFL season. Final score was Midtown 26.18.174 points to Roswell 14.11.95 points.

SCORING:

BEST:
Roswell - Evans, Kraska, Garafalo, Phillips, Berry
Midtown - Robinson, Jones, Glenn, Peters, Cargal

INJURIES:
Roswell:  Nick Micklowski (hamstring)