MONDAY's MUSINGS - BRAGGING RIGHTS

                                                                    Photo - Aaron Cooke


The second half saw Seattle go ahead again however, paying the price of a missed conversion when CW responded with Remee Brown crossing and the convert was added by Kate Kristiansen, 12 – 10. CW’s bench was the difference, as the teams slogged back and forth, and the weather played a role in the handling department.  The Home team earned the better of the outcomes.  Chloe Hill-Huse added a third try for the final 19 – 10 win, and the bench scored 12 points.  CW picks – Forward of the Match – hooker, Karen Garcia and Back of the Match - Aussie fullback, Emily Currey.

For this pundit, Seattle were the goods, and CW could have been judged fortuitous for their hard-worked differential.  I would assess today as being a big step forward for the club’s women’s programs, having reduced differentials considerably against quality opposition.  Thank you to today’s many officials.

 

As somewhat predicted, James Bay Men’s Divvies continued their winning ways, leading 15 – 3 at the half then adding another brace for the bonus point final, 22 – 3.  The Bays squad had a couple of hefty Fijian lads, along with a couple of experienced forwards who really created the difference.  Never-the-less, it was a creditable Divvies showing for the Tricolor, and more, on which to build.  Thanks to match officials.

I preface today’s notes with the fact that the writer was not always able to fully view all of the action.  In fact, Bay’s Max Stewart score at six minutes was unsighted.  The buildup looked innocent enough, with a noticeable urgency.  Stewart is a young (and very talented), South African who is in the sights of NSMT 7’s.  By kickoff, a second match of the day on the “main field”, saw the ground becoming greasy.  What a treat to field five home games for senior women and men at Windsor Park!  A massive shout out to the grounds prep crew, led by Shep, Spice, Boggie and Joe, along with gatekeepers, Gordie and Peter.  It was an occasion for our sponsor’s and 20 Club luncheon, and a good crew of Bay supporters under true rugby skies and temperatures!

 
CW responded to the opening challenge by moving two lineout mauls, some considerable distance.  The second of these went for 30m and set up field position for some Bowd magic. It was the deftest of chips from 20m, over the defense for Tait to hustle through and gather and the affair was tied after ten minutes.  Johno was the recipient of the pool’s largess, compliments of Jordan’s tally.  James Bay regained their lead when fullback Burton notched a trey. Bowd responded, as the teams fought for supremacy.  Max Stewart replied to Bowd’s chip with an accurate cross ball of his own to no avail on the score board.  He was certainly making his claim in the ‘Battle of the #10’s.’

Tricolor turn.  It was Bowd for a piece of positively, aberrant skilled play.  It was a planned chip over the defense again.  On this occasion, the flow was going left when Grady shaped to diagonally kick however, he deliberately skewed it off his outer foot to the right side, to the surprise of all and into Tait’s waiting hands for his brace.  Given Tait’s readiness, it was obviously a planned piece of genius and a 17 – 10 lead at the half.

JBA had far the better of opening play in the second stanza with retention and recycles for willing first up runners to gain ground.  Then it was Stewart’s turn for his opportunism.  He offered a ‘soft’ chip-chase-regain at his own 30m.  Clean heels almost saw sheer brilliance however, it was Bowd, who scythed him down at the CW 30m, but it was not enough as he popped up the ball to an alert, hard running Burton who covered the remaining ground for an exciting tally and to tie the tussle at seventeen.  There were some questions as to why there were not others to arrive at the catastrophe.  Credit to the Bays for support rewarded.  CW pressure on Stewart was craftily evaded and to all, the Battle was ‘full on’!  I give Bowd the edge for his defense and hard work grappling competitively at the breakdown but strategically, my tip went to Stewart at this point.  When the other Stewart – Crossley, pinched a ball at the scrum and went blindside, matters were desperate.  Pressure seemed to abate when Phil Mack replaced Max Stewart, who was on sixty minutes of playing time, an RC guideline which seems nonsensical.

CW seemed to up the ante, causing some errors and it was Tardiff, off the bench who chipped and chased in broken play.  His retrieval and feed to Fatt looked very threatening and in fact it should have brought better fruition.  James Bay scrambled, and somehow regained possession only to be penalized.  Then a great deal happened in a nail-biting space of 10 – 15 minutes.  Bowd’s 40m raking touch finder saw CW in a rare scoring position.  The lineout went to Humphries and a subsequent 7/8 recycle s eventually saw captain, Nott drive over with ten minutes on the clock.  When Bowd erred, the win was within JB’s grasp at 17 – 22.  CW forwards showed their experience maintaining possession and getting themselves in a position to pull off a tight win.  There were groans aplenty when the ball went to the backs who decided to run a tight line, only to knock on against a side that had far from capitulated.  With the Faithful crossing their toes, fate played to Ceedub on this day when Bowd notched a wide penalty to ensure the win at 25 – 17.  He followed this up with a 70m penalty to touch.  The affair fizzled, with Bowd being the marginal winner.  As usual is the case with this rivalry, it was always on the edge and there was post-game respect between these warriors in the local derby.  It was generally well handled by the M-i-M, Ben Lambrick.

For JBAA, if Max Stewart continues to be available, the game plan can be developed around him.  No doubt, CW was pleased to see him depart with a quarter remaining. I gave Burton my M-o-M with astute drop-ins and a bag of twelve points, he had a good day.  All the forwards worked hard, and no one was above his peers.  James Bay will give some come-uppance before the season is done.  Final thought, Philly, you’ve been one of our ‘greats’, but stick to your coaching methinks.
 
For CW, a hard-earned winning record regained.  The strategy was mystifying at times, considering the number of ‘old hands’.  With a kicker of Bowd’s ability why the ball was not in the right end of the field more frequently was disconcerting and allowed James Bay much confidence, rather than having to figure out their exit.  The game should have been strategically tight, with a second half “wind advantage” and a solid forward pack.  Easy to comment from the balcony.  I was again impressed with Tait and his brace.  He is a much-improved player after his season’s absence, and he shows greater confidence.  No doubt, his old club will seek to put this to the test next week.  Humphs was a welcome return and as usual, Finnie was dope.  The debutantes were adequate but not outstanding.  They have the potential to be much better for the trot.  I leave the M-o-M selection to those who witnessed the match!

                                                          First try-scorers - Jordan & Kelsey

FOOTNOTE - $1700 in the pool.  Thanks to all those who got into the spirit.

Next up is Westshore at Juan De Fuca Field. Yesterday was a good day at The House – sponsors and 20 Club Luncheon, best ‘gate’ of the season, two Premier wins and major progress for our women and men’s Divvies.
                            ONE CLUB