STRONG PACK FOR THE MAC

(John Richardson Images.)

CW plays James Bay tomorrow for the third time this season.  The teams have split the previous two encounters, each winning an ‘away’ game. Back in September, a youthful James Bay squad opened their campaign on the right note, defeating Ceedub, 38 – 28.  A month later CW returned the favor dispelling the mystique of ‘Suicide Corner’ and left The Mac with a 45 – 10 scalp under the belt. Who knows what might happen when these storied clubs face off?

CW showed good ‘second half’ form against League-leading Lomas last week. Tomorrow the Tricolor will start a FRF of Kratz, Bossi and Fatt, an experienced trio of hard men.  Locking will be the ever-dependable Humphries and the teak like Davidson, rounded out by the return of Finnemore and Pyke as loosies and Nick Carson at ‘tail-up’.  Ott gets a rest for his tweaked knee.  There is a strong 5 – 3 split on the pines, a showing of Coach Ken’s hand for the game plan.

The backline features some relative newcomers for the local fans to enjoy.  There is speed a-plenty if the handling is commensurate. Easson should be better for his debut by fire last week and Griffiths will be a treat if he retains last week’s form.  One has a sense that this group will have learned much from last week’s defeat and will have the desire and ability to figure out what made the score difference in that encounter.

It is a rarity to not know who/what a James Bay opposition is, however, this week this is the case.  They are a side that evidently hung in bravely against the Pride last week, as is in their DNA.  The Blue’s depth will be tested in the Divvies game, when CW, will almost incredulously, be seeking their first win. This is said not with any measure of bragging, rather, after watching this group on many occasions, with surprise that a victory has not as yet been forthcoming.

WOMEN’S NEWS

CW Women find themselves on the road once again, only this week, in two different locations.  The Divvies will be up at the Pig Pen at Cowichan facing a strong opposition and the Prems will be back across The Pond, facing Burnaby in a critical match-up as teams battle for the final six.  Last week’s efforts, particularly the Premier upset, should buoy confidence for these encounters.  Go, you good things!

Meanwhile, overseas in England Premier League, CW grads continue as try-scoring machines.  Sophie De Goede scored one, along with four converts for her Sarries when they defeated Ealing who had Julia Schell add one in the losing cause. Attaway to carry the CW brand, ladies!