Monday's Musings

Fans barely had time to say, ‘G’day” when UBC Premier women crossed the line in game #1 on Saturday.  CW responded immediately, also from the kickoff, after a thirty-meter run to tie the affair.  It looked like a score fest was on, but it was not to be.  This momentum did buoy the CW forwards, and they managed to get to the red zone, only to forfeit a penalty and this was to be as close as CW would get for the rest of the game.  UBC settled down and with ‘tails up’ maintained dominant field position which finally resulted in a break by #9, and a quick feed to a sizeable centre for the try.  UBC maintained their advantage and added another before the half for a 19 – 7 lead.

 
The second half saw the teams battle evenly with back-and-forth rallies.  Late in the game it was UBC #13 again displaying her attributes and proving to be unstoppable for the 24 – 7 bonus point win.  Not having a team list for UBC, it is not possible to highlight individuals.  The writer did note the appearance of Jessie Knaggs, returning from her recent, very successful Canada U21 campaign to the UK.

 
CW did not shirk against what was a very apparent, bigger opponent, with many players having a moment of recognition.  The CW half of the Knaggs duo, Jamie, was also very active in the contest.  In the forwards, CW’s Alex Motherwell was her usual, highly competitive self.  Thanks to both teams and referee Zussman for an entertaining contest.  If today was rumoured to be not the strongest UBC can be, then any other team with final prize aspirations will need to be special.




 

UBC opened the men’s match with authority.  Eight or nine recycles, saw a forward dive over a ruck mass to open their account.  CW responded around ten minutes with a lively try following good ruck retention and a creative lineout play.  CW forwards were very involved, and a prolonged period of field position saw Jayden John, on debut, scoot thirty metres for the go-ahead, 14 – 7.  UBC showed their caliber and responded from the kickoff.  A sharp pass from Graham to Birtley and sheer pace from Adrianos for the tie.  UBC went ahead, again from sheer speed, when Turnbull crossed.  With an injury to CW prop, Espagnol, the set scrum went totally awry.  It was from one such splinter that the penalty saw the Birds win the ensuing lineout and take a 24 – 14 lead to the huddle.

 
Two yellow cards and a series of injury replacements denied any likelihood of continuity for the home team.  Turnbull notched his brace, and a penalty was added for 39 – 14.  CW’s Jacob Isaac, on debut, raised hopes for a tally after a monumental break following his intercept but the pace chase hauled him in and countered with continuity against a ‘gassed‘ defence for the final score.

 
UBC are the goods.  It was a day when they may have rested some ‘first-stringers’ to counter what became a patchwork opposition.  The UBC engine room of McNutty and Wilson-Valdes were impressive and the FRF members, McCarthy and Clark, were also good value.  In the backs, #9, Graham, centre Turnbull, and #15 Beauchamp, gave good service, ran good lines and showed plenty of pace.

Ed. Ronan Graham (#9), played for CW as recently as last season.  Ronan came from UVic to CW for playing time.  He worked hard and made it to Premier level.  He was “scouted” by UBC and on Saturday he started and led the backline on several occasions with sniping passes or well executed hoists.  ‘Onya, Ronan.

 
For CW, “an A for effort”, in the words of one wag.  I give my M-o-M to loosie promotion, Hugh Mager.  Finnemore and Reagan were warriors, and the remainder of the pack, gave their best against a quality opponent.  In the backs, Poulton and Pilgrim were the pick.  A shout out to all Divvies called up for the fray.  Thanks to the officiating crew, although there were some questionable decisions in a view from the balcony, however, all players maintained their discipline.

Ed. Not to count out CW’s #9, Chris Gammage, who also showed enterprise.


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