Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

Tickets are selling, and this serves as a reminder that if you purchase yours by Friday, you will be eligible for a lucky draw for the Vancouver Sevens.                                                 

VALE – Maurice Preece.  It is with a measure of sadness, yet at the same time, deep fondness and a smile, that we remember Maurice Preece.  Maurice was a graduate of Loughborough College, a peer of current CW Faithful, Alun Rees, David Clarke and later alum, Jim Wenman.  There must have been some elixir in the walls that became infused in these “Luffies”.  Led by Maurice, the consummate rogue and raconteur, all four are ‘characters’.  Maurice came to Victoria via Regina in 1958.  He had a long career in the Greater Victoria School District where he earned great respect as a teacher and Principal.  There were many highlights - one being the first Principal of Spectrum High School.

One could go on with his professional credits but let’s defer to his rugby connection with Oak Bay Wanderers.  Rugby was a compulsory subject at Loughborough and Maurice was no slouch as an exponent of the game.  A tall and strong second-rower, he immediately laced the boots for the Wanderers upon arrival and was an instant regular.  He earned honors with the Tide and coached both school and club junior boys teams.  Former NSMT coach, Gary Johnson gives high praise and respect to Maurice, crediting him for both, the inspiration to go into teaching as his profession, and to adopt rugby as his passion, after having been in Maurice’s Grade 7 class.  They maintained a friendship for many years.

Maurice led a full and rewarding life with a specific passion for sailing and travel and whenever possible, combining the two!  He leaves behind a large contingent of family, relatives, colleagues and friends.  His footprint on this earth was huge and his mention will bring a smile to anyone who knew him.  RIP, Maurice.



VIEWPOINT

Recently, when searching the BCRU website for League standings, I came across the following amongst the results.  Men’s Division 1 - UBCOB Ravens RFC 133 – Abbotsford RFC 0.  I have two memories of such a score.  Firstly at the turn of the century, CW was guilty of this same fault, posting a century against Rowing Club, and the second goes back to sometime before when James Bay defeated Castaways RFC 106 – 0, years before amalgamation, and a score that lived in infamy in the VIRU for some time.  I could not but help to do a deep delve into this result.

Two weeks ago, Abbotsford arrived at Jericho with twelve men.  Ravens agreeably loaned a FRF from the thirty-man roster they had selected for the day.  Eighty minutes and 133 points later (approximately a converted try every four minutes), ‘no-side’ was called. The clubs had evidently agreed that Ravens could use all their named players to acclimate some ‘imports’, fresh off the boat and one NSMT player.  It was an opportunity for the birds to practice their complete repertoire – box kicks, diagonals, moves etc., against ‘live’ opposition.  Further, the Premier squad that faced UBC last weekend, 10/23 played against Abbotsford, and 6/30 had played Premier so far this season.  These are the facts that I unearthed.  Now for the point of view!

Firstly, this scoreline posted on the League records of our governing body does nothing for the integrity of our game, and specifically, the Ravens club, no matter what might have been agreed upon.  Secondly, it is my understanding that the BCRU only permits rosters of 23.  This case raises questions about claiming eligibility going into the playoffs.  Thirdly, had there been a catastrophic injury, who were the indemnified players?  I must assume all thirty had playing time, or can we have a bench of fifteen from which to select our subs?

In conclusion, I noted other games of terribly disparate scores; 97 – 0, 82 – 0, 88 – 0, and 82 – 12.  This is not good optics.  I would suggest that for the second half of games that have a mammoth differential at the interval, clubs switch forwards and backs to ensure some enjoyment and opportunity to use the skills of the game and that the result be posted as 20 – 0, even if a match has not been forfeited. If growing the game is a goal, the examples offered will certainly not do it!

HAVING ADMITTED CW's TRANSGRESSION, DOES NOT MAKE THESE CURRENT EXAMPLES OK. 

                         OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE ARE PURELY THOSE OF THE BLOGGER.

                            LOOKS LIKE THE WEATHER GODS WILL HALT SATURDAY GAMES.