Rowers capture 2 out of 3 at Richmond

Rowers still undefeated in the first division
(Photos: Malin Jordan)

Carlin Wilkin (left) zeros-in on a ruck during the second division's 14-5
loss to Richmond RFC March 17. Richmond used their very muddy
alternate field for the 2nd and 3rd division games.

One unbeaten streak continued and one ended for the Rowing Club March 17 as the 1sts and 3rds both secured wins, while the 2nds lost their first match of the spring season.

3rds
The Thirsty-Thirds opened their game at King George Park on Richmond's alternate field - a pitch that can only be described as a mud bog.

With the sloppy play and even sloppier footing, the Rowers managed to punch across a quick try to take an early lead. Longtime stalwart Robin Mallinder took a pop pass around the 25-metre line and rambled in for five points. He scored the Mallinder Hat-Trick on the play - a straight-arm, a try, and an injury - as he popped his shoulder out diving across the tryline. Richmond scored a try and penalty goal to claw back 10 points by the half, but the Rowers had the upper hand, 26-10.

The Thirsty-Thirds continued to run well in the second half and added to their score with some fine backline play. The forwards stifled Richmond in the rucks and mauls and Richmond couldn't get anything going in the second half. The Rowers scampered in for a few more tries and the game ended 60-10. With the win, the 3rds (2-2) move up to .500. 

2nds
In the second game of the day in the mud bog, the Super-Twos (4-1) failed to extend their unbeaten streak to five games as they fell 14-5 to Richmond (3-2).

Second division scrum half Chris Gaydon passes the ball to Doug Crowe
(out of picture) in the second half of the Rowers 14-5 loss to
Richmond March 17.

Richmond scored two early tries and were up 14-0 for most of the game. The Twos had many chances to score and were camped-out inside the Richmond 22-metre line for most of the second half.

After many attempts at the line, the Rowers only managed to net one try when James "My American Cousin" Paladino punched one over.

With the loss the seconds remain in first with 20 points, but Bayside, with 15, has a game in hand.

1sts
The final match of the day was played on the main field as the Rowers' first div squad (6-0) extended their unbeaten streak with a 17-12 win over Richmond.

Man of the match honours went to Caleb Hansen as the scrum-half ran in two tries (and arguably scored a third - see pictures below). Hansen also made some key tackles to help hold Richmond to 12 points. Matty James added two converts and a penalty goal to round out the Rowers' scoring.

With the win, the Rowers remain in first place with 28 points. But the Bayside Sharks kept pace with a bonus point win, 59-38, over Cowichan. Bayside now have seven bonus points and are one point behind the Rowing Club.

Caleb Hansen dives for the tryline.

After the Rowers' narrow win over Bayside March 10, this Saturday will be a critical match in the two-horse battle for first overall.

March 24: all three Rowers squads are home, at Brockton Oval, to the Bayside club. Games start at 11:30 a.m.

Hansen appears to have touched the tryline with the rugby ball.

Close-up: Did Hansen score the try?