Monday's Musings

                                       CW kids share Canadian and former CW players' joy, in York.
                                                       (Role Models Extraordinaire)

 
This is not the first time we have used this header, although Julia’s six-try performance against Fiji on Saturday was simply, over the top!  On a weekend when Canadian rugby could finally raise its head, along with this convincing win, the men upset USA 38-20 on the back of a four try performance from former captain and ‘returnee’, Tyler Ardon.

 
Readers of this blog are rugby fanatics, so mere mention will be made of the details, for I am sure all eyes were glued to the tele on Saturday.  The women had earned their bonus point by the interval, breaking to a four-try, 24 – 0 lead.  This included an early opening try by ‘CW’s’ Sophie de Goede, and a ‘first’ by her teammate of many years, Caroline Crossley, scoring when the team was one player short. 

 
Fiji opened the scoring early in the second stanza thence there was an electrifying twenty-five minutes when ‘CW’s’ Julia Schell bagged a six-pack.  Wowzer! ‘CW’s’ Karen Paquin, off the bench, closed out the scoring at 65 – 7.  To this partisan pundit, one pupil red and the other tri-colored, ‘CW Pedigree’ ladies notched 53/65 points (9/11 tries).

 
Despite this resounding differential there were areas that will require attention going forward.  In the early going, there was some sloppy passing, some attacking structure that went awry, and too many penalties were incurred.  This is not criticism as we have witnessed this team learn and improve week by week, over the past two months.  The composure and re-focus in the second half were creditable.

 
All the ‘big guns’ flexed their muscles in the opening round of pool play. The hosts and favorites, England, being particularly impressive.  Next up for Canada will be Wales, next weekend. 

                                           

                                           
Crossley and de Goede start their sporting pathway.

FOOTNOTE - Credit, Neil Davisdson, The Canadian Press via TSN and Times Colonist News. Canadian Women Chase Rugby World Cup Dreams on a Shoestring Budget

It was with great interest to read this article in Thursday's Times Colonist (Victoria) news. Thanks to everyone, from the Tragically Hip Band's tee shirt promotion to the smallest giver who contributed, to arrive at $1,000,000 for the World Cup campaign. We are being paid back in spades. Go, you beauties!


The men’s Friday night performance set the table for the Saturday morning banquet.  The underdog men’s team was ‘money’ from the start, scoring three minutes in from some determined carries and quality retention.  The U.S. responded almost immediately and then went ahead with a nifty ‘diagonal’ kick.  At the mid-half, an alert reaction by Nelson from a penalty, saw a response in kind from Ardron, snagging a skillful ‘diagonal’ punt, 12 – 14, U.S.  The half closed out with the teams knotted at 17 – 17.

 
The second half saw Canada add two tries for a 17 – 3 advantage. One of the Canadian tries coming from another ‘heads up’ play by Nelson, dribbling a loose ball and outpacing the defender.  Nelson ended up bagging fourteen points, and Canada scored five tries versus two for a comprehensive victory.  The ‘return’ of Olmstead and Ardron made a visible difference, stiffening the forwards and providing a solid set piece platform all day.  Hard yards from Oworu, stellar lineout precision and stout defense were other factors of note.  ‘CW’ had a dual connection with Isaac Olson, and Josiah Morra, who overtly depicted the joy and release of frustration felt by all at game’s end leaping high with a fist pump!  Next up will be Japan (in Japan on August 30th), as the men continue to earn placement in the 2027 RWC field.

FOOTNOTE – Hats off to Calgary fans – impressive crowd of 12,000. How about those Argentinian Pumas??

                                                          Morra in full flight.