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Game Day
REES BOOT Did a little delving after the fact and reckon this postscript blog is a credit to players who have learned how to play together as a club team but wear their loyalty to their schools in their hearts – the epitome that is the very essence of this great game of ours. SMUS fielded –...
Rugby Resumes
The CDI Premiership and Library Square Cup pick up play this weekend after a lengthy layoff. CW travels to UBC and a stint at the new Thunderbird Stadium. On paper it would appear a “no-brainer” as UBC sit in second place and the visitors are in the basement however with a closer inspection,...
Monday's Musings
Easter Saturday saw an amalgum of 37 local juniors - 18 X CW; 15 X VV; 2 X CWRFC and 2 unattached, boys and girls, take on an English side from Rokeby School at Windsor Park. Our boots on the field reported that it was a tough day for the Island kids against an experienced and...
Skeleton Crew Continue to Amaze
How prophetic was yesterday’s comment regarding “never ceasing to amaze”, as Canada proved on day #2 to be no chopped liver in Cup action after “squeaking in”. Their historic win over N.Z., 19 – 15 was every bit deserving, particularly after N.Z. opened with a try within a record 18 seconds!...
Canada in Cup Quarters
Indeed, blessings from the Easter fairy and a resounding 26 – 10 victory over Kenya, led by Hearn, Douglas and Trainor, edged the boys into Cup play on a points differential. It will be tough sledding as the team has lost Hammond and the opposition is New Zealand however valuable points have...
A Patchwork Quilt
From a Sevens side that looked almost ‘Dead Cert’ for Olympic inclusion one year ago – injuries and a limited player pool have put Canada on the ‘outside fringe’ to do battle in Olympic qualifying tournaments in June thru September. Top four from IRB Comp are automatics, “regional winners”...
Maple Leafs win in Hong Kong
Maple Leaf women win in Hong Kong Maple Leaf women defeated Japan 24-12 as the opening match to the Hong Kong Sevens in front of a 20,000+ fans at Hong Kong stadium. It was Canada's 3rd consecutive win in the Invitation Women's tourney and the first time for the Maple Leafs...
Day #3 - Done & (Canada) Dusted!
After a good start with a victory over Kenya (21 – 10), this Ruggernut mused over point differentials, in an effort to prognosticate form and comparison of team performances. What odds Portugal to tie the mighty Kiwis??? ….. and then for Kenya to open a 21 point differential over Portugal???...
Black Saturday
As good as Friday got, mere hours later, results tanked as the NSMT went down to Samoa, 19 - 24, a game which RC's writer's claimed could have gone either way. This fan did not see that, as the boys looked jaded, not at all sharp against a side they have been beating rather regularly of...
Good Friday Comes Early
Although Belgium scored from the opening kick off (pictured, Tchanque on the fly), Canada's NSMT 7's went on to win 28 - 12 in the Hong Kong Opener. From Coach Middleton; "...we knew from film they would be hard work and they were..." To paraphrase a Twitter comment from Captain Moonlight...
Four Decades of Premier Sevens
(It's not a blur, it's just that our lamps have aged!!) On the eve of the Men's RWC Sevens Competition we ask where has the time gone? From an annual event showcasing sevens, moons ago, the Hong Kong Sevens has become the premier event on a circuit that is now a full-on show,...
Monday's Musings
Kicking off with BIG bouquets to Canada ‘A’, NSMT on their come from behind, 28 – 26 reversal of their previous loss, over Samoa ‘A’ for third place finish in the inaugural, Pacific Nations Cup. The boys were down 13 – 21 at the half however, with the scrum being dominant (good news, over...
Headed For Hong Kong
Ed. apologises for being remiss last week when we gave a HK preview and did not include Branden and Anton, along with our praise for Braydon - my bad, boys! Our three CW boys will be playng with B.C. U18 in an adjunct tournament. What an experience! We wish Branden Schellenberger, Anton...
March Madness Visits Windsor
Perhaps the reader may need to be a little forgiving this week for anything deemed as “overly superlative” but the effort tugged at the strings of this old timer’s heart – the very essence of the game which unfolded on Saturday. In a season that might be summed up as “tough” with yet...
Vikes Visit Windsor
Unfortunately, the First Div game is on hold - either a "re-sched" or points forfeiture.....no news on this front, suspect player shortage on CW's part. However the "Big Shoe" will go on with k.o. slated for 2:45. UVic come into this, cock-o-the-hoop, sitting tied for first with...
News From Vanuatu
Good news from former CW player, Nick Regenvanu, responding to an out reach from Brent Johnston. After many years of service to CW and a brief stint with the VIRURRS, Nick and his family returned home but they have maintained a strong connection with the club's South Seas community. Nick...
Wednesday's, "Ruck & Maul" on Thursday!
Castaway Wanderers – Women’s Program Positions Castaway Wanderers is seeking key positions as it moves forward with the creation of a Senior Women’s program for the upcoming 2015/2016 season. CW currently has a well-established Girls Youth program that has seen growth year over year since...
One Way Traffic
A poor weather forecast did not eventuate and Ravens and The Tricolors assembled to establish bragging rights in both Div 1 and Prems Rugby. The First Div game saw Ravens stalwart, Benz Hendrickson, trundle over for the opening score but that was really all of the Jericho shine in this one. CW...
Monday's Musings
NSWT SEVENS Heartiest congratulations from the Castaway Wanderers to our women on yet another stellar performance on the IRB World Circuit. The Atlanta Series saw Canada drop their final pool game to England as well as losing their equivalent of Philly Mack, Jen Kish, to injury. What an...
Saturday's Struggle
With just three more home games remaining, CW takes on UBCOB Ravens this Saturday at The Park. This will be a mammoth occasion for both clubs with a mere three competition points separating the teams. These clubs have very similar records in their play this season. Ravens are 3 – 7, CW is 2 –...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
– Interview with Captain, “Moose” Bydens who proffers his ever articulate take on things. NSMT NEWS. The boys take a rest and spend time with former CW player, Mesa in Fiji – bula, all. Canada’s NSMT wailed on Junior Japan/Japan A in Suva on Monday. It is hard to know what the goals of...
Downstreaming Disaster!
Couldn’t cross the pond yesterday however looked forward to first viewing of BCRU’s down streamed version of the “match-of-the-day”. Although I was late tuning in, I had missed nothing, as “power had failed”, so it was to be old-fashioned radio the rest of the way. I can’t be too critical, for...
B.C. Rugby Action
The Tricolors head to Klahanie with two teams tomorrow to play a make-up, "rainout". The result at the Premier level will have a decided effect on the points table. Let’s start with The Ones. Capilanos are undefeated in this grade and with a match in hand could vault over Burnaby into first...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Canada West Vs Canada East U17 Men, (pictured, CW’s Braydon Tate, opposing the put in) Canada West defeated Canada East at Shawnigan on Sunday by a score of 30 – 12. After opening a 20 – 0 lead, Canada West eased, giving up penalties and letting the Easterners back in the game. The return...