Monday's Musings

Backs get in the mix. Burnaby cranked up the pressure but Jack Wallace made his presence felt again, with a well-earned poach, however the home side was not done.  CW was penalised frequently in the late going and the Lakers capitalized to close it out at 24 - 12. The fates continue to elude the Tricolors and next week it does not get any easier.  Thanks to the Sage on the sidelines for these game notes and to Craig Thornber for some pix. As the header photo shows conditions were not conducive to field care and the Divvies game was postponed.

John Braddock suits it up after a multi-season lapse due to injury. Club spirit and a love of rugby prevail!

NEXT UP: Women's Prems VS Seattle (H)

               Men's Divvies & Prems VS JBAA (H)

Seattle women have not visited the House of Windsor since 2023 when they captured a handsome victory over the locals.  There is a current points discrepancy in the standings with CW in the box seat.  JB men's Divvies will be out for revenge of a 5 - 6 loss back in October.  JB men's Prems are experiencing a satisfying season as they attempt to claw back to their former glory. In October, the Bays defeated CW 29 - 12.

www.cwrugby.com Becomes a Teenager

The notion of a club website goes back even further to the inspiration of former Oak Bay Wanderer and RC International, Charlie MacLachlan. 'Duck' ran the management off the edge of his desk and mentored, monitored, and motivated The Ruggernut to be the content provider, writer, and practioner in those early years.  May CW Rugby experience many more birthdays.  If there is anyone in "Follower Land" who has an interest in web media, we can always use assistance. Contact; [email protected]

Oh, Appy Day!  A shout out to the women's VII's that finished in third place at the weekend Singapore Sevens.  Olivia had a five-try campaign in using her experience to lead her teammates to their achievement.  On Day #1 the ladies defeated France 29 - 24 in overtime.  Game #2 was a close 12 - 19 loss to the eventual winners, NZ. They closed out day #1 with a mammoth 52 - 0 win over Great Britain which must have felt very good. (We note Olivia's connection on the field with our club with much pleasure.)

Day#2 started disappointingly when a red hot Australia defeated Canada 35 - 10 in the semi. So, it was vs USA for a third place finish. After an inspiring first half lead of 19 - 5, the foot came off the pedal.  The US responded to tie the contest at 19 - 19 at full time.  Olivia crossed for her brace with the Golden Point and 24 - 19 victory.  Wowzer!  Next weeekend the show moves to Perth with Canada now in fourth place behind the US.

Women's rubgy maintains the focus of this blog with our own CW grad, Chloe Hill-Huse. Chloe spent the weekend at Chula Vista (California), with 25 other triallists hoping to make the US National squad. Chloe's dad, former CW President, Brian became a Canadian citizen last year, giving Chloe the adavantage of dual citizenship.  The US program is led by Jack Hanratty, a man well versed with Canadian women's rugby, having coached the Ottawa Gee Gees for two seasons following his appointment as a successfull coach of the National Women's Sevens program, silver medalist at the Paris Olympics. For sure, Jack would have been knowledgeable about Chloe's talents and elligibility.  CW offered their best wishes to Chloe last week, and we will follow up on her assessment of the camp and her performance. Stay tuned.

CW CONNECTION - Faith Tilley (UVic), Jesse Knaggs (UBC), Adia Pye (UBC). Our heartiest congratulations to these ladies who habe been selected to the Canadian U21 NSWT for their tour of Ireland and England in March.