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CW Premiers 37 Vikings 14
Tries: Derek Daypuck, Kevin Larson, Paul Buckley, Matt Weingart, Hubert Buydens
Penalty: Daypuck
3 Conversions: Daypuck
CW First Div 12 Norsemen 0
Tries: Messa Robarobaleu, Spencer Robinson
Conversion: Brennan Marcoux
Yes you read it correctly....Spencer Robinson with a try in the second half vs Uvic Norsemen. Starting at #9 due to illness of the ''usual'' 9 and moving to his ol' familiar spot #11 in the second half...it was a classic Spenny try for those who remember seeing him in his hay days with CW! Ball in hand, quick (not fast!) burst of pace, broken tackles and under the posts. It was sweet to see and even sweeter for his CW family and for Tate and Jonas to see Dad in full action! In general the Div 1 game was a battle of attrition...very good defense by both teams. Hodgie at #8 unable to get the scrum pick and go going due to solid backrow presence by the Norsemen. Set scrum dominance on the day for CW helped the cause.....poor kicking decisions and confused lineout's did not. Once again the go forward play of the Matt's.... James and Lemay.... pulled all the lads along and the big presence of Josh Handysides running with ball in hand gave the Uvic side a lot to handle! A new young, quick, player Garrett "Forest" Graeme at Fullback brought tension to the game for both Uvic and CW supporters on the sideline....this somewhat unpredictable pace setter is one to watch as he gets back into form and responds to the crowd chats of ''run Forest run''. The play-off bound CW Firsts are still unsure of a home or away play off game.....at minimum the goal is to be playing on the Island along with the Premiers.....splitting the teams between mainland and island play-off games would not be an ideal situation.
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Premier...
As the game began at Wallace Field, under the watchful eye (most of the time ''eye's'' as the game was fast and the ref kept up with the pace....well done) of Mr. Dave Smortchevsky, 3pts for CW appeared in the first 60 seconds as CW secured their game starting kick off and drove four phases until Uvic ''killed'' the play. This was followed by a fine Uvic backline play that resulted in their #8 rushing down upon the last line of defense.... Paul Buckley at #15......a front on tackle by small against big, brave indeed, resulted in a turnover and CW out of trouble. Buckley at #15 for CW has certainly shown skill and ability......with two similar impact tackles, one solid split the defense try and several key strategic kicks from hand on the day... it looks like Bucks has found his rhythm.
However, that Wallace field/Vikings ''deja vu feeling all over again'' descended on the CW faithful! A poor CW pass went to ground and allowed Uvic to pounce and run....kick through by #12 with a run and touch down in the CW end zone. CW responded well with heads up, back on the attack, attitude. Johnny Inoke at #9 using size and pace breaking through a tight Uvic defensive line was supported by Lock Clayton Daum who took the pass and in for the try.....as Mr. Smortchevsky whistled the play back for a forward pass infringement he took some good natured booing and ribbing from the CW Nation....only a slight smile crossed his lips.....play continued. Then the deja vu feeling returned.....aggressive CW attack hiccups, with a ball lost in contact at the 50. Uvic pounces and #12 once again makes CW pay with a deposit in the Uvic bank of points!
Uvic 14 CW 3.....time to get out of the red, which the visitors did by settling down, keeping to plan, and ending turnovers. Pace and control amongst backs and forwards who got on the same page brought the score at half to 17 CW 14 Vikes. Two well executed tries by Puck and Kevin Larson were converted by Puck.....it was a good sign going into the half time break.
The day continued with forward control eventually releasing the backs to cross the try line.......lending some credence to the often contested saying that "Forwards decide who wins.....Backs decide by how much!"
Enter John Graf at #10 and Molia moves to #12 and the opposition faces a different look and attack. Stiff defense with few offensive errors kept the momentum with the visitors who, for a second Saturday this month, enjoyed a final 20 minutes with the result not in question. Uvic, so dangerous with turn over ball, did struggle to find form from their set play. This intelligent, exciting, young team will fix that no doubt in the time between now and the play offs when they do not have to deal with exams, missing both players and support staff.
CW finished off with a Center splitting try from Bucks and a good finishing, not to be denied the try line, score from Matt Pichot Weingart on the wing.. So the backs scored well on the day and it was the 80 minute hard working forwards who put the last points on the board with a pick and drive series that enabled Hubert Buydens to drive over the final few yards to a pay day!
A solid second half performance by Ken Goodland at #8 who carried and at times seemed to magically get his hands on the ball while supported by similar play from Lock Clayton Daum helped the Cdubs.....as did the forwards team play with their growing emphasis upon the ''we'' not the ''me''. Nice work lads!
This coming Saturday we set sail courtesy of our friends at BC Ferries and travel by bus sponsor Charter Bus Lines to the home of our long time friends, the successful Meralomas RFC.
Brent Johnston....embedded and on the ground at Wallace Field with Castaway Wanderers Rugby!
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