Monday's Musings

Victors

CW PUNCH PLAYOFF TICKET – WOMEN’S PREMIER

On Saturday last Burnaby Lake visited the House of Windsor.  The very early stages saw a break by CW’s Brown and on to Newsome for first blood – oh, no, forward pass!  Then it was a patented scoot from Currey, pass on to Newsome. Olivia was tackled but had the presence of mind to release the ball, pick it up and cross for the opening points at ten minutes, 7 – 0.  Burnaby committed frequent early penalties at the breakdown, such that a yellow could have been issued but it was from one of these that CW moved the ball wide for Newsome’s brace at fifteen minutes.  Burnaby threatened with a kick to space but all hands on deck partially stemmed the tide however, a quick tap penalty saw the Lakers continue.  Their next pass was telegraphed and the always alert, Hill-Huse, gratefully nabbed the intercept and showed clean heels for sixty meters and a 19 – 0 lead at 25min. 

This show was immediately followed by an 80m CW try.  Wide ball saw #15, Currey in the line, out-the-back to Hill-Huse, and quick ball to Hilton to cover 40m for a 26 – 0 lead.  It was all CW when from the kickoff Casey made a 30m gain. Burnaby did respond with a Farhat carry, followed by two tap penalties and #9, France, was thrust into the gap only to be held up on the line.  CW focus was admirable as their play ground away from the line to retain the bagel.  The half ended with a 30m break by Beauchemin from a CW tap penalty but no fruition.  It was very entertaining stuff.  The break saw Coach Shepherd exhorting a greater effort from her forwards, a pack which had already shunted Burnaby two or three times and was nigh on perfect at the lineout.

The second stanza opened with a definite threat from the Laker’s #15 Naiobasali (?), who had been prominent, but whose progress seemed to be a challenge to halt, and again it amounted to naught as she lobbed the ball to her support, snuffing this advantage.  CW then got the ball to Brown who, with some shake and bake, sprinted for an elusive 30m and converted her own tally, 33 – 0.  The fans were treated to some champagne fingertip inter-passing, only to end in a scrum to Burnaby.  CW’s diminutive, Gwynnie Fry picked the ball from Burnaby’s #8 and sprinted 10m for her unstoppable contribution, 40 – 0.

Burnaby did respond with some continuity but appeared to be too gassed to finish and another clean CW lineout take saw Currey fill the line, dummy and burst for 45m under the sticks for 47 – 0.   Burnaby finally managed to get on the board after an alert tap penalty.  #9, France got the ball to Hindley whose determination aided by a dummy pass was deservedly rewarded with points, 47 – 7.  Burnaby’s Ada Okonkwo reacted with a damaging run from the kickoff, but the lone try was to be the total for the visitors.  CW iced the cake when Bronwyn Zodichi made a spirited burst and honored the FRF with her contribution after a full match’s effort for the prop, and a 54 – 7 final score line.

Thanks to Burnaby for the contest.  They had some determined runners in the opening stages of the contest whose efforts were spoiled by frequent transgressions at the breakdown.  Former CW player, Okonkwo; #15, Naiobasali; #2 Farhart ,and #8 van Guilk all had their turn.  #7, Hindley was rewarded for her day’s work.  The CW strategy of moving the ball around simply proved to be too much.  I give my W-o-M to prop Ada Okonkwo.

There were many standouts for CW.  Remee Brown’s 7/8 converts, and nineteen 19 points was a clinic and her center partner, Newsome, combined for 50% of the production.  All the backs played very well, each having individual moments of skill and brilliance.  Likewise, in the pack, featured by their collective commitment to their tackling of larger opponents, it would be unfair to name one over another.  I give my W-o-M to the team for a most entertaining performance.  Thanks to M-i-M, Cvitanovich and ARs. The weather made their task a pleasant one.

The Divvies #2 took points Vs Nanaimo in a forfeit, at the same time, Divvies#1 were schooled by Bayside in Vancouver, 43 – 0. The curtains have been drawn on what seemed to this pundit to be a very interrupted season, however, extremely successful in terms of numbers, improvement, and enjoyment. There will be Premier playoffs, the details of which are unknown.  One hears rumors of Westshore forfeiting a home game to UBC on Saturday, which would boggle the mind, if true!  Well done, all.  Go, CW.

n.b. Kudos to the Piggies on their 20 – 3 win over men’s Divvies in Duncan.  Divvies season ends when they play Port Alberni at The House next Saturday.