Ravens Review

The Ravens kicked it up a notch last Saturday when they pasted their cross-town rivals, the Lomas 49 - 0, serving notice to all and sundry that they are a squad to be reckoned with this season.  The Ravens and Ceedub have had many a good battle over the years, often with results going against the form chart.  Both clubs are somewhat akin, in that they seem to attract troubadors, top class castoffs, characters and stalwarts!  This season, led by #10 player coach from the U.K., Tom Luke, they seem to have assembled a quality group that will be a stiff challenge for the Home team on Saturday.

The main troubador is #9, John "Skins" Graf (who fits all of the aforementioned!) who put in a quality sixty minutes last weekend along with #10 "understudy" from Dunedin (NZ), Cam Johnston and Aussie prop, O'Donnell. Their top class guys are led by Mike Burak and Tom McKeen and up and coming top classer, Callum Morrison who has made a timely switch from the Lomas.  One wonders if the cunning, Rick Bourne (UBCOB Treasurer!!), did not have a plan in mind for this season?  Of real class is Connor Trainor, thankfully, unavailable this weekend as he will be seeing National duty Vs NZ Maori. They have a cast of characters and the ilk of Yegs and Kol Hendrickson represent their stalwarts.

The Raven brings two huge wins to the contest, posting an almost half century against both Rowers and Lomas and a similar score to CW in the differential Vs Burnaby.  Intrigue is the word that comes to mind as a pre-cursor to this matchup.  CW's performance was certainly NOT enjoyed by their coaches last weekend yet to the faithful, it appeared that it was not "too far off".  Just how high the bar can be raised or return from injuries can assist, will not be known until Saturday night when at least, a great post-match gathering at The Temple will be an assurity.  To conclude and until we have the team listings, we bring you John Graf's assurance regarding his retirement and some pics of days of yore!

Skin's retirement

GRAF, GOODLAND, WARRIORS BOTH