A Mixed Bag

Tomorrow will see the first action of the "second half"  CW Men's Divvies (Div. 1) will take on the Comox Kickers.  Comox will be after CW's scalp following their 10 - 22 loss before Christmas. CW has a slight lead in the standings, but the Valley team is always "good value".  The Divvies will be led by Keegan Hall @ #9 surrounded by a group of backs that showed some promise sporadically in the "first half".  The forward pack is strong with McCallum, Marshall and Peters in the FRF.  The lock position will see the return of Kiel Horan after a two season hiatus.  Kiwi Kiel was always valued for his work ethic and hard-nosed play. We will await to see just what Divvies might offer for the rest of the season.

The main game will also have revenge as a theme for the Tricolour after being "schooled" by the Pride up in Cowichan on a dismal day in November, 38 - 5.  The Pride is under the tutelage of new Canada U20 coach, Christiaan Esterhuizen.  Their team tomorrow will feature a "new" #10 who is fresh from Welsh Premier team, Bridgend.  He will be put to the test by Grady Bowd. Also on debut will be loosie Logan Harris.  The Pride standing at 4 - 2 has a differential in the standings to CW's 3 - 4. For the locals, it will be a welcome return of captain, Ollie Nott to the back row and he will be accompanied by Kehoe and Pyke.  The CW FRF will be a different proposition to one which spent some time on the back foot in Cowichan, with Kratz, Wallace and Fatt out to test "young Canada".  Connor Mc Kenzie continues to impress the coaching staff with his growth and he will pack with Ogunlabe in the engine room.  The backs will also be a different look to pre-Christmas with the return of Andrew Easson and the debut of AJ Kosempel ( I believe, a former Pride player). Ethan Hager will be in the custodial role again, no doubt ensuring the cohesiveness of the "back three" is much improved from a glum night at UVic.

The weather is not promising however, the Pride run the ball under any circumstances so hopefuuly we will witness a quality hard-nosed response from our boys.  Go, you good things. We offer best wishes to our women on the road to Capilanos and Westshore.

Club Secretary, Jon Donald packs it in! From Jon;" It was about seven years ago that the Club was holding its AGM, and had no incumbent or nominated Club Secretary. Don Swainson (past President), strategically boot-stomped me and my shrill cry was rapidly interpreted as volunteering to fill that role!  Four Club Presidents, a few crises, significant growth in membership, weathering a pandemic, revising and adopting a new set of Club bylaws, approximately 157 discussions of kit, and with a much more robust governance and budgeting model in place, it's time to turn things over to Joe Sheldrake's capable and energetic hands." Jon leaves big shoes to fill.  Thanks for your dilligent work and leadership.  'onya, Jon. We know your support will continue to be heard from the balcony.