Monday's Musings

(Photo, credit, Shun, Japanese student, attending UVic English Program)

"Leadership in Dark Days - Captain Finnie at work!"

Tough Times for CW Teams

Saturday saw three CW teams on the road. The Women’s Div.1, buoyed by their victory last week, travelled to Port Alberni, a neutral location, as the Comox Kickers’ field was unavailable.  The Kickers have become a very strong benchmark at this level and Saturday proved to be no different, with a lop-sided final score line in their favor. Still, a great opportunity for this young Tricolor team, a road trip and some friendly bonding. We bring readers the following report from the Port and the Scribe on the pitch.

“Good spirits flooded both teams, regardless of the field shift and low playing numbers. The game opened with CW ladies charging down the Kickers! Although the opposing team is known for their strength, CW gave their all on defence, really making the Kickers work for their points. Several times, the ball was held up by the forward pack. Focusing their efforts on bringing last week’s practices to the pitch, the forwards found momentum and surprised the Kickers with their territorial gains and “hard hits” (quoted directly from the Comox forwards). Many new faces confidently entered the pitch, gave it their all, and stood out. Winger, Lucie Heminway with her tryline tackles, prop Ella Stolk-Iachetti with powerful runs and lively rucking, and inside center, Ara Herrera, with well-timed passes and her rucking, all stood out. CW’s starting hooker, and later flanker, Alyona Kaminskaya, earned the team’s Slayer Belt for her passionate tackles throughout the entire game.  The team is buzzing with excitement at their improvements and cannot wait to claim more W’s as the season progresses.” 

The two Premier teams travelled to UBC.  The women opened the action with a convincing 32 – 19 win over the Thunderbirds.  UBC had selected several players that may have been deemed “reserves”, saving their big guns for the National University Final against UVic.  As local rugby fans know, in the case of the students, this does not mean much, given the depth of scholarship programs and recruiting from across Canada. On this day, CW worked with some of the open field play they have been practicing, with positive results.

With Emily Currey, a powerhouse performer at #10, receiving ball from the quick and dynamic, Emily Samek, the back line was set up for success. There was a mix of both familiar and new faces in the pack. Starting off strong with a dynamic eight, that was only further emphasized in the second half when substitutions were made without taking their foot off the throttle. With early tries from Samek, Zodichi, and later, Kassil, Pierce, and O’Regan, CW rolled along. The final score of 32-19 was the first regular season win for the Prems and it will hopefully set them up on solid ground for the coming weeks. 

I would summarize this as a very solid victory at this stage of the season, with CW shaping to be a dark horse, capable of an upset on any given day, in a competition that looks to have the teams as ‘lop-sided’.  Go, you good things. ‘onyas, ladies.

The Premier men also had backs to the wall against an undefeated team.  Akin to the women, UBC had made some changes to ensure full strength at the Nationals. The Thunderbird struck early and with emphasis, striding to a 50 – 10 lead at the half.  CW's tallies came from Ayo Ogunlabe and AJ Kosempel.  CW offered tenacity, a good sign in lean times, in the second half, keeping their opponents to nineteen points.  M-o-M by UBC, Chris Gammage and Dafydd Thomas. Next up will be a BIG home day for all five senior teams on November 15, for the men, Burnaby will be coming to town, no doubt including rumoured bolstering by Fiji Sevens players!

SPECIAL MENTIONS

CWRFC is proud and pleased to announce the selection of one of our mini and age grade grads, now attending UVic – Josh McIndoe – to the NSMT’s upcoming tour of Europe.  The men will play Romania, Portugal and Georgia in three matches which will sorely test a young and comparatively inexperienced group.  Great stuff, Josh, best of luck.

On the women’s side of things, we bring news today that former Premier player, Maddy Aberg is making news with Canada’s National RUGBY LEAGUE team.  She is booting conversions and penalties as the women seek to earn a spot to qualify for the League RWC in 2026.  League is a very active sport, being played professionally in AU, NZ, and UK. We quote from a 2022 blog, “Finally, special mention must be given to “money” kicker, Madi Aberg, six of six conversions and I believe a perfect record of some fourteen shots at goal over the last two matches.”  Maddy is a player who is a tough little rugger and she always showed signs of higher honors in her appearances with the Tricolors.                 Well done, and good luck.

The club's Age Grade girls got together on Sunday last in lieu of games, for a morning of skills and fun.  That's the spirit!

ONE CLUB