FEBRUARY 23 GAME REPORTCW Div 1...44 (8 tries 2 conversions) Rowers 0
CW Premier....41 (7 tries 3 con) Rowers 16 (3 penalties, 1 penalty try, 1 conversion)
Great day for CW, under a sunny blue sky, at the Rowers Rugby Club
CW teams traveled to the Rowers in Vancouver to play at the storied Brockton Oval during the 100th anniversary year of this great Club. We were welcomed and treated very well.....and we exchanged experiences and stories with many long time friends.
The Division 1 game was a free flowing and open affair for CW. As with the game to follow, the full width of the pitch was used and good, organized, play lead to many exciting individual exploits. "Fat" Johnny Morris continues to impress at 10 (not his age, his playing number!).....instincts, skill, and pace in a player so young are good for the team and Club. With Jason Callioux as a mentor guiding Fat Johnny through the customary ''head taping'' on the Ferry, everything is in good hands! The backrow of Lamb, Hodge and James out played the opposition and continually kept them well behind the gain line. John Wolfe with two tries on the day had is ''coming out party'' (not what you think!) This day he used angles of attack, pace, and passing. In one particular phase he received a long pass at the attacking 40 and with a slight move to freeze the opposition took off on angle to touch down in the corner. So too with Kevin Skelcher who did a ton of the tough work in the trenches with number 2 on his jersey. Line outs went very well and both Bergie and Stefan dominated. Stefan Alexander continued to do yeoman's service in the engine room....a big team sacrifice for this backrower. The Rowers had their chances but faced stiff opposition on the goal line...in one encounter for a solid 12 phases of attack. It was unfortunate for the hosts not to score from line out and drive work in the red zone....this was very well executed time and again by the Rower pack. In another period of pressure for 10 phases in the red zone a Rower knock on allowed Simon Lui to pick up and run the distance ...completely against the flow of play..... yet as a result of pressure defense by the visitors.
Tries by....1 Matt James; 1 Johnny Morris; 2 Chris Pomfret; 2 John Wolfe; 1 Jason Callioux; 1 Simon Lui; 2 conversions Mesa Robarobalevu
Premier play.....
Under the watchful eye of Mr. Hudson the first half was well contested. Good work by CW 6 Middleton 7 O'Toole and 8 Sinlcair reaped many rewards on the day in terms of possession and scoring. Rowers contested the scrums very well in the first 40.....no ''push over'' group there. CW showed real patience, form, and attack...often with width and good passing. Rewarding for the lads and coaching staff who have been working hard on these aspects of CW preparation. During the run of play the team is benefiting from the flexibility at 9 and 10 that Graf, Pichot, Puck, and Hall offer....each offering a different pairing and form of attack. The Rower Premier side, as with their Div 1 squad, showed good line out work and drive in the red zone. This lead to a penalty try awarded for constant ''coming in the side'' by CW when under this pressure. It was the only time the Rowers would see beyond the try line however. Not so for CW with 7 tries on the day. This was enabled by the good work of Daum, Pollock and Smith who dominated the line outs with various toss and catch options. The CW players were a bit tight in the first half, checking out this new to the Premier League opposing team ...watching for strength and weakness. Roger Robinson in particular brought calm and patience to the team and approach. Half time score 19/13 for the visitors.
The Rowers were served well by their kicker who is very capable at goal. In a close game this skill will push the Rowers over the top ....to win. But they will need to keep the games close....that they could not do in the second half where CW scored 4 unanswered tries. A bit of a punch up took place mid second half with players rightly binned by Mr. Hudson to cool off....one CW player standing up for another who was dangerously late hit....cost him a binning. (at least this left and right took place during the game, not during the post game hand shake as per the rumor from across town!)
Mid way through the second half the score was 29/16 with Brennan Marcoux showing good pace and skill to dab down in the corner following a series of attacking moves which began at mid field. Sinclair did well in attack from the base of the scum with gain line plus yardage every run. The Double Duty on the day went to Div 1 players Stuble, James, Lui....each coming in with renewed energy and commitment. Matt James was reward for his hard work with a try from a well executed line out grab and drive.
At the end of the day Rower Captain Mike Webb led his lads well; Webbie was everywhere with quick action, reaction and instruction....exactly what one would expect from this experienced international. Joined by Derek "D Rock" White at 9 (his age not his number)...they were formidable as the 8/9 combination.
CW was well hosted and jumped on the bus for the ride to the 7pm ferry. Therein the real story of the day began! As a result of those post game events, changes to travel will be a follows......
No longer will we book our bus from the Church of the 7th Day Adventists. No booze, women or swearing on the bus is too much for such a successful rugby day! The Club also will be calling to consult with Fidel Castro. Missing the 7pm ferry for the first time in 2 decades.....CW is approaching the current manager's brother to assume the duties.
Viva the CW Revolution!
Tries....3 Chauncey O'Toole; 1 Kevin Larson; 1 Jebb Sinclair; 1 Matt James; 1 Brennan Marcoux; 2 conversions Derek Daypuck; 1 conversion John Graf
Submitted by Brent "Fidel" Johnston
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