Rugby Returns

This Saturday rugby will return to Windsor when the visiting Seattle Saracens take on the Tricolors in an exhibition game. Saturday’s contest is going to be a hard match…a mini International! Readers may well question the task of winning, based on pre-Christmas form but of course the Saracens can be taken. Thus the beauty of our game … “on any given day” and we have seen some memorable upsets at The Park. UBC proved that fact when they won the Division 1 title last season with a 30 – 28 victory, after an earlier 24 – 37 loss to Seattle. UBC adopted, a style of play that committed them to take Seattle on up front, rattling the Sarries at their own game and CW will have to man up in the forwards’ battle to be in it at the end. No matter who played, the Lomas latest effort was also very fruitful and so too, CW could take their place in being the first team to knock off Seattle this season.

The home team welcomes the return of a number of missing faces hopefully, a pre-cursor to a turnaround of fortunes entering into the “second half” of the season. Efforts pre- Christmas were not lacking and many players stepped to the fore with some close losses being frustrating as the campaign progressed. It is great to welcome back some familiar faces. Jake Ilnicki earned some excellent experience, starting in the front row with NSW Country in the Australian NRC. Jake was a first stringer in the FRF when Country were nipped in the finals. Hubert Bydens returns from his second stint with Manawatu Turbos, feeders for the Hurricanes in Super XVI. The Turbos won the ITM Cup with Bydens starting in the FRF. Doug Woolridge who has been in town, recovering from injury is also included in the lineup. The rest of the pack is highlighted with another “returnee”, Adam Kleeberger. Kleebs is seeking another crack at the RWC team and will be a Beardo duo (pictured - AK showing two "left feet"), with the Moose. Riley Ilnicki and newcomer, Albornoz, Canadian born and Argentinian bred, make up the loosies. Stalwart, Clay Daume will lock with Hubert and the pack will be led by Captain Braddock whose leadership and play has become respected by fans and opposition alike. This is a group that will not shirk from taking on Sarries up front.

The backs are perhaps a little “experimental” in nature, led by thoroughbred, Horton, CDI try scoring champ of last season and near the top of the ladder this season. The halves are MacPherson and Panga, Oliver and Morris pair in the centers and Henderson is on the other flank with Mitchell back from the east, serving as custodian. There will be plenty of opportunities for this combo to show its potential. We hope this headliner will bring local fans back to The Park.

With the “return” of some previously unavailable players, The Ones will field a very competent combination, hopefully inspiring a continued resurgence, following up two recent matches Vs Nanaimo and Port Alberni. The pack will be led by Clay Thornber (back from Australia), Steve Grdic who has shown good form, Faasavalu and driven by Captain Chips. Forwards “knocking on the door” will be recognised on the Prems’ bench – Thornber, Grdic, Kelliher and Allen. In all, The Ones is a pack which includes a measure of mongrel. The backs will be led by Sammy Rocher who will combine with the lively Conway as the halves combo. The rest of the backs have balance, pace and experience. Moore and Pritchard in the centers, Gudgeon and Kelly on the flanks with Paul Buckley as backstop, they also look good defensively. This will be a tasty table-setter for the main game. Kick off times are 12:45 p.m. for Ones and Prems 2:30 p.m. Weather looks good – head to The Park and go, CW!