Monday's Musings

“The Joy of Victory ……….

(Credit, Keith Wells.)

MIXED EMOTIONS. Joy started with the first match of the day when CW upset the James Bay women Ist Div team, contrary to predictions from this pundit.  The final score was 19 – 17.  I did not witness any of the action, so I will try to suss a brief summation for later in the week.  There certainly was much joy in Mudville.  The Bays are still tied for third and CW sits in sixth.

As predicted, the men’s Divvies match result would be close.  So, it came to pass.  There was only one score at the half, JB 7 – CW 0, as a result of a telegraphed pass, an alert intercept, and clean heels for 30m.  The insertion of the evergreen, Brandon Gerhardt at the half was the difference-maker.

It was a crisp start and CW had distinct possession and position advantage, however the James Bay defense held until mid-mark when, some tough questions were asked by the experienced CW forward pack and another veteran, Jake Ilnicki, weaseled his way over at the bottom of the melee, 7 – 7.  With about ten minutes remaining, Gerhardt notched a penalty for the 10 – 7 lead and final score. Despite some desperate breakouts by JB, CW managed control and kept the ball in the opponent’s half, often assisted with deft punts from Gerhardt at #10.

For JB, #22, leftwinger (Pauly/Underwood?), showed dangerous pace and was always looking for work.  The Gonevou brothers in the backs needed close attention, with Jeremiah at #15 being the pick.  A sizeable forward pack did their best against a more experienced group.  For the Home team, I thought the pack toiled meritoriously.  The vintage guys set the bar for the youngsters to match.  Newcomer, Nadeem was noticeable on debut.   The backs are a feisty crew, unafraid to try things, however, they do need tempering from time to time as it all becomes too hectic, and the excitable passing goes awry!  Myrah starts it all with crisp delivery.  I doff the cap to M-o-M, Riley Ilnicki whose play is an inspiration.  Thanks to the match officials, with the M-i-M using the advantage whistle and keeping the temperature down on a day when conditions really tested the players.

Attention was split whilst this encounter took place.  On the main pitch the CW Premier ladies were having their way handily with the visitors from Seattle.  By the final few minutes when I witnessed two more late tries, it was well and truly put to bed. The score does not need mention, suffice to say, it was a comprehensive difference and a good workout for a new combination for CW. It was heartening to take in the vocal compliments to Seattle from the balcony and sidelines at the end of the match and Seattle’s visible recognition of same in return.  The ladies sit in fourth place in a league which seemingly can produce results that are unpredictable on any given day.

........ & the Agony of Defeat

The main pitch was about to witness another comprehensive and clinical exhibition, the difference being, this time it was from the visiting team!  It is hard to find enough superlatives for the James Bay men’ s performance on this day.  Indeed, as predicted, “a no-brainer”.

With the dulcet tones of Vader’s chants as background, James Bay proceeded to produce an eleven try clinic at Windsor on Saturday.  The resistance of the home team was minimal until Gus Porter and Chris Gammage were inserted for the last quarter. It was all JBAA.  They opened the scoring with a precision passing, crisp try of some forty metres, by #15  Driscoll’s backline insertion.  It was the first of six first half tries and a 34 – 0 lead.  So much for this fan’s hopes.   James Bay centers were having a field day, slick service enabled them to run good lines at pace and #10 Gonevou mixed the attack with some well-timed hoisted balls.  With the ball taken at such pace, it caused havoc for the defense.  Botcher, Beck and Archdekin in the forwards, were extremely active on both sides of the ball. Only tireless effort from CW’s Jack Wallace gave the Faithful some comfort.

With hopes that the second stanza might produce something different, the fans were daunted when Lloyd crossed after two minutes.  And so, the parade continued with four more tries being added. It was after the midpoint with the score at 49 – 0, the hosts spun some quick ball short side for Gammage to outflank the defense for first blood.  It was 61 – 7 when a final spark was added by Gus Porter, after sheer desperation started the movement in CW’s in-goal area – where had this been all day?  Kosempel made a break and tip ball came from Poulton, on to Tait or was it Gammage, and thankfully, for this pundit, the end.

For CW, nothing really to cheer about.  From poorly executed restarts from the opening kickoff, lack of defensive aggression, and in several instances, skill, to a bumbling uncohesive attack pattern, were all a major disappointment.  If there was a game plan, it was not evident.  As mentioned earlier, Jack Wallace was head and shoulders, M-o-M.  Newcomer at #6, Wainwright, also had an outing worthy of mention, and Finnie and Gav Kratz did all they could.  In the backs, it was not until Gus Porter and Chris Gammage appeared that we saw any enterprise.

Last say to the Bay.  A team is only as good as its opposition lets it be and on Saturday, JBAA allowed absolutely nothing, with their comprehensive,clinical play doing the talking.  I give my M-o-M to Noah Flesch in the backs, and Brendyn Beck in the forwards.  The supporting crew, to a man, were all good value.  I have seen Isaac Gonevou before, none of which were the quality of today’s effort.  Each player had their moment of brilliance, but it was the team that did the talking with entertaining rugby.

Thanks to the myriads of officials on the day.