Monday's (Belated) Musings

UNLEASH THE BEAST!

(Today's snip shows Caps all kitted up with nowhere to go as fortunes changed - scoreboard 53 - 17).

For the second consecutive week, CW found themselves in arrears at the interval.  One wag opined that the boys “looked flat” coming out of the shed.  This came to pass as knock-ons produced four scrums in five minutes, CW foregoing a tight head loss and penalty.  The penalty resulted in quick hands to Caps winger, Huntingford, for first blood.  At the twelve-minute mark, a gross error by CW #15, to keep the ball alive, gifted it for a Caps player to pass ‘inside’ to Reimer and on to Ingoldsby for a 12 – 0 lead.  Caps came again five minutes later when Bocock broke.  There were plenty of recycles and three changes of direction before a clever ‘inside’ pass saw Davis put the Visitors ahead 17 – 0, at a point-per-minute rate!

Rugby is a strange game.  This was all that Caps would score until the final minute and the whistle for ‘time’!  It took the first quarter before some enterprise was seen from CW with Nott deftly breaking the line, only for a Hager "out-the-back" pass go astray.  To this point Caps #10, and captain, Moloney was causing some organizational issues with his prudent placement of kicks and CW appeared lack-luster with a number of noted, unforced errors.  With about eight minutes to the half the ball popped free into the hands of CW’s Nott, who had been a pest, next to carry was Wallace and finally Hager finished for a 17 – 7 score.

There were some notable antics yet to come.  An audible groan ringed the pitch with a Smith knock on, and the line a-begging.  Nott made another good break only for the pass to go to ground.  The half ended with CW fortunately still being able to be in catching distance, but it had been all Caps. The CW engine room toughened up after a scrummaging start, the likes of which had not been seen for some time.  Caps #’s 9 & 10 had dictated most of the play and centre, Bocock had enjoyed the space created.  CW replied with far too many errors.

For the second week, coach Goodland delivered some ‘Lombardi-like’ elixir at the interval and the senior leadership responded in spades.  CW opened the half with secure retention and umpteen recycles.  It was only four minutes old when Bowd broke and Pyke proved unstoppable, 17 – 14.  A very different urgency was visible, when from a clean take from the restart, saw Tait on the burst and he found a gap.  The ball went on to Fatt who fed Pilgrim for a spectacular dive and the lead, 21 – 14.  Bowd was next to cause “all hands” when his grubber was poorly handled, and the ball found itself in the grateful hands of Hager for his brace and 28 – 17 lead.  Three tries in under ten minutes.  Next it was Tait to make another line break, dancing out of a tackle amongst absolute Capilano chaos.  Four strong recycles saw Bowd feed Mager out wide and it was 33 – 17 at seventeen minutes.  Bowd’s kicking from hand was simply superb.  His vision had Caps running round in diminishing circles.  CW pursuit often capitalized, catching their opponents in possession.  Following one such phase, Nott wisely handed the ball to Bowd, and it was 36 – 17.  This act was repeated at the sixty-minute mark as Caps frustration mounted, at not being able to get out of their own half due to this stifling and energized defense.

Anyone who has played this game knows of days when nothing goes right and so it came to pass that an intended clearing kick was ‘shanked’ out wide to an astonished, Smith.  Gabe virtually walked over the line and there was still some time left at 46 – 17!  Fuli who had entered the fray now made his presence felt and as the chant goes “we can’t go over them, we can’t go round them, we’ve gotta go through them, for we are warriors!”  His hand-off went to Peters, on to Thardiff who fed Nott for his deserving exclamation point, 53 – 17!  Caps did have the final say with a fourth try, thus their bonus point, 53 – 24.  For CW, in a word, SCINTILLATING!

It was a performance where it would be unfair to single out any one player for CW, but the Players Hard Chain was deservedly awarded to captain Nott. Bowd’s 18 points were very important, and we cannot omit him, for his general play was, as opined in the pre-game comments – "on the day, the winner will be that man who can make those around him better".  And so it came to pass, a Maestro’s performance.  One has to like a team that can show spirit and character as witnessed on his day.  Finally, a mention to newcomer, Thomas, on debut.  Dafydd was informed minutes before k.o. when Kehoe incurred an injury in warm up. He soldiered for the complete eighty.  It was hard to make many mentions for Caps after the first quarter, in a performance that will see much soul-searching.  ‘Loosie’ #6, Reid Davis and #9 Reimer along with Bocock, get my nod in forwards and backs.

The Man-in-the -Middle, Clint Lemkus was pure money.  Thank you.  His fitness level is very noticeable when he arrives at the breakdown before the ball does! He is a facilitator not dictator.  Good job.

FOOTNOTES ** Head Gatekeeper, Peter Kilshaw was heard asking the rhetorical, “Do we provide a bang for the buck?”  Thanks to all our players on this day for a most entertaining afternoon.

** The boys take a break next week for Thanksgiving.  The Pride is next on the card on 19th October with the venue, Cowichan’s Piggy Park – CRFC, Herd Road.

Judge for yourself!

The main game was preceded by an entertaining Divvies game where Nanaimo Hornets went from 34 – 7 at the half to a final 54 – 14. CW was not without hope, showing some good moments.  They were eclipsed by a bigger pack and pacier backs and unforced errors were a nemesis.  The Nanaimo Show was cleverly orchestrated by #10, Evans and Jordan Montgomery in the forwards haunted his former club with #8 Fisher joining in the rampage.  Hornet’s #12 was a damaging runner and there was pace on the wings.  For the Home team, Jack Goss really caught my eye with a brave and competent outing.  McCallum anchored the FRF on his return and Hohert led by example.

Akin to compliments to Clint in the Premier game, the Ruggernut applauds, Juan Pablo Rey who officiated this match.  Jaun had only arrived in Victoria three days before from Argentina.  The way he facilitated matters at his level with what appeared to be a wry sense of humor and clear signals will be a welcome addition to the V.I.R.R.S.

“A great day at the Park”. (P.K.)

P.S. To my good friend and fellow scribe from Caps, John Langley – sorry I missed you.  I would have enjoyed your “shout”!