The Car Marauders eclipsed in season finale BY MURRAY TOWNSEND war. The Milton Marauders came out on the short end of a 10-6 decision to Mega City on Saturday after- noon ai Milton District High Sehool, after leading 6-3 until the final minute. Stefan Linder accounted for the Milton offense with two field goals. The Marauders needed to beat the Maddogs by 31 points to squeeze into the final playoff spot. That meant airing the bail out early and often. On their first play from scrimmagc, Dustin Blair it Eric Snydcr on a sideline pass for 40 yards. Two plays later, however. the Maddogs came up with an interception. That was the offensive story for Milton. Theyd show some promise by moving the baIl, but could- n't quite complete the task. Even Steve Lubin couldn't get unglued for more than a couple of big plays, witb the Maddogs defense keying on bim, apparently aware that be bad a shot at the league rushing titte. The defense was outstanding as usual. Will Gearin came up witb a big play to stop a fake field goal attempt, David Joseph recovered a fumble, Mark Dow bad a sack to go along with a sensa- tional overall game, Adam MacPhail had several monster bits, and Jay MacPhail, Stu Gilbert and Peter Hummeil alto made big defensive plays. It was nice to sec the tumout from the town of Milton," said Coach Barry Emo, referring to the biggesî crowd of the season, belped out by the Mark Dow and Steve Lubin fan clubs, and despite the ram wbich ended just before the opening kick- off. "I'm just son-y we didn't put on a better show." Ironically, just after Emo had congratulated the Maddogs on getting into the playoffs and was talk- ing about the class with whicb the Marauders rep- resented Milton, the Mega City teamn came off the field together and tried to pick a figbt witb the Milton coach, wbo was on is own afier the teain bad gone to the dressing room. The Mega City coach called Coach Emo, a former CFL lineman, several unprintable naines, whicb fortunately for him was said behind 30 of bis players, some of whom attempted to goad Coach Emo into a figbt. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Mega City Maddog Josh Murdock gets stopped by a couple of Milton Marauder defenders in regular season-ending play Saturday. Hc refused to take the bait and provided a good example of wbat is class and what isn't. True, Milton could have won this gaine, as well as several others in wbicb they were close, but the overali season bas to be regarded as a resounding success. The Marauders finisbed with a 2-6 record, after going 0-9 last season. Last season, they sur- rendered 376 points; this year, tbey allowed 175, an improvement of 201 points. Offensively, they bad 70 points, compared 10 just nine in their expansion season. They were only blown out of one gaine, against Tri-City, and won their opening game of the sea- son over Sudbury, as well as an impressive defeat of North Bay, a team that had beaten theru 72-0 last season. Several players will finish among the league leaders. Lubin is ainong the top rushers, Joseph is second in the league in tackles and joins Hummeil and Gearin ainong the best in fumble recoveries. Charity slo-pitch tourney on soon The goodwill grows on. In 1996, Lesley Wells' fiends banded together to help the spinal cord injury-stricken bigb sehoot gradu- aie - offering financial support tbrougb an impromp- tu charity slo-pitcb toumnament. Since then, this well-intentioned bunch have been able to provide a shot in the arm to far more than just their friend, as the popularity of the Lesley Wells Charity Mixed Slo-Pitch Toumnament continues to rite. Now two weeks away, the eightb annual showcase - slated for August 8 10 10 at nearby Drumquin and Omagh baIl diamonds - is set to include its biggest field to date, with lhree dozen teams participating. Aided once again by the Milton Lions Club- wbich camne onboard in 1999 - the toumanient is already filled up, but for ibose willing to try their luck on deck, a waiting list could offer a few last-minute entniet. Benefiting a host of groupt and organizations over the years sucb as Milton District Hospital, Milton Salvation Army, the Scott Early Foundation and Big Brothers of Halton, the Lesley Wells toumamnent alto includes a home-mun derby, a Di and live bands, a refresbment tent and a sulent auction. Event organizers are always on the lookout for spon- tors and volunteers. Anyone wishing to belp out in either capacity is asked to catI Greg at (905) 876-0164 or Murray at (905) 878-5904. Joseph and Gilbert were at the top of the list in bur- nies, as was Rayon Walker in the batted balls cate- gory. Linder was ainong the leaders in ail kicking areas and bis six field goals may put him on top. Statistics released later in the week on the leaguefs Web site at www.nfcfootball.ca will determine where players finisbed in the various categories. The Marauders bit a roadblock midway through the season wben tbey lost 49-7 to Tni-City. From there, they could bave plummeted straight to the bottom afler the disbeartening loss, or tbey could have picked theruselves up, dusted tbemselves off and got back in the game. Tbey chose the latter and even tbougb tbey lost the final gaine, the level of confidence in the offense bad improved noticeably, and the defense dug in and became even more stubbomn down the stretch. Rigbt there may bave been wbere the teamn scored ils biggest victnry nf tbe season. tadian Champion, Tuesday, Juty 29, 200.3-19 ln the know sports fans get their news hn p1rcp 1 1-, it1r1ctfr If you have a sports story to teil, cai Steve LeBlanc at (905) 878-2341. www.ntilanidscaping.com \njt-turt@ lscape contractrs Srnce 1986 We tan help get vour lawn back la the Iash green il was. Complele sodding, seeding and hydro seeding depending on your requirements. We service Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, Ancaster, Dundas and Kitchener/Waterloo and surroundinig areas. Give us a sali and we wiII work logether ta lranslorm your home and yard ino o our personal paradise. Cali: 905-689-4654 P.O. Box. 965 eWaerdown, ON IOR 2H0 Fa:9$6H11 MILTON TENNIS CLUB SOMMER CAMPS For beginner, internuediate, and advanced kids Ages 6 to 18 Week-Iong summer tennis camps feature on and off court training, tactical training, competitive situations, free play, basketball, basebal, soccer, technical teedback and corrections, drilling and weekly tourna- ments, ail in a tun-filled atmosphere. HALF DAY (9am-12pa) or (lpm-4pm) MTC Members $90-00 per week Nan-Members $100.00 per week FULL DAY (gam-4pm) MTC Mombers $160.00 per week Non-Members $170.00 per woek SPACE SBULAVAIUBL WEEK 0F JULY 28TH AND DURING AUGUSTI CAIL NOW! Petr Svoboda, Club Pro 905-330-9939 Il a I' 'Il 'i For tho contre noarosi yoe cou: i *800*608*9304 ho risk inaosswith agi. Tho Ontario roast S(roning Program providos irlost examinat ion ani a mammogram at Do (0sf ta womon àhoare 50 lears of1agi or ovor. mako Jour appointmenttoiday.! A hmkiSuus.î~. THE FOLLOWING LANES WILL BE CLOSED SATURDAY AUGUST 2, 2003 [ROM 6 AM UNTIL NOON " Eastbound Curb lane of Main Street between the Leisure Centre and James Snow Parkway " Westbound Passing lane of Main Street between the Leisure Centre and James Snow Parkway stKids of Steel Milton Triathlon Anyone interested in turther information, please see www.miltonkos.com or cali Gary Black at 905-693-0118 S-S-S HOCKEY DRY LAND TRAINING Increase - Speed, Strength and Stamina 10 sessions - 15 hours - fée$150 Ages 12-14 and 15-18 (approximatety 15 per groupi Stacts in August, cati Angelo Lenaedon 905-875-0851 For the serions hockey payer' who wants to be their besî t NOTICE OF -LANE CLOSURE