Train at Twist

Train at Twist
Twist Conditioning keeps the Rowers FIT!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

T'was the Thursday Night Before Rowers Christmas

For those who missed the reading at the Rowers Christmas dinner: Rowers Ruck Muck is proud to present "T'was the Night Before Rugby", a festive poem.



Twas the Night Before Rugby.

T’was the Thursday Night before the Rower’s Christmas and all through the bar,
There were players and coaches from near and from far.
They downed the odd jar and obeyed all the rules,
Except when they didn’t, and acted like fools.
As the noise level grew and the staff fled in fear,
The Rowers reflected on their 106th year.

T’was a summer of workouts crafted by Si Taylor Two,
And fitness with Coach Ben, where we ran ‘til we puked.
We hosted some prize-fights, cuz the club’s strapped for cash,
Where Skylar & DJ had each-others’ faces smashed.
As the days shortened up and the sun sunk down low,
A bunch of U20s started to show.

Two strapping young back rows from the isles out East,
Named Pat and Dave Matthews who ran like wild beasts.
The Kootney Connection brought Bjorn and Kane,
Who walk between raindrops and play like freight trains.
With Matt Bacon and Vince and Ben Johnson up front,
The academy looked like a promising bunch.
But wait! What’s this? Around goes the word;
Lack of numbers club-wide – they’ll all have to play 3rds.

To Kelowna and back with a bus jammed with beer,
We made the round trip, barely lost any gear.
Gaden and Yankee at 9 twisted passes like screws,
The Godfather made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.
Under the careful direction of new coach Brett Russell,
What the thirds lacked in brains they made up for in muscle.
Nate Tough and Andy Donne and Nick Coles and Rob Crowe
Saf, Trev and Rice all put on a show.
The thirds lost some players to call-ups and pains.
They dropped a few games and their fortunes did wane.
But when news of the trouble reached field agent – Jake Chahwan,
He sent Jaden and Chayse, the original French Connection.
With size and with courage they owned the front row,
The 3rds rolled over Burnaby, and had one more place to go.
A determined squad showed up hungry at Klahaney,
They’d earned their cup final against U-B-C.

At 9 was Josh Dougherty, at flank Brian Andrews.
It felt on the sidelines like the Rowers couldn’t lose.
The cameo cast featured Nikki Grease & Fagan
With support from The Gus Bus barreling in to the station.
John Fitzy ran twelve and some good solid lines,
And captain McGlivery broke through for a try.
They bled white and red for their spot at the dance,
And the great 3rd division walked out league champs.

The cup sat and shone in the carver room case,
We got one more round to close down the place.
When out on the deck there arose such a cacophony!
We fell over the couch on the way past the Christmas tree.
And there on the mast tower, his clipboard in hand,
Stood square-jawed and determined a coach with a plan.
He raged a cold fire, not a bit self aware,
His bark left no doubt: it could only be Jer.
“What the hell are you doing?” we heard him exclaim,
“Resting on laurels will bring only pain.”
“There’s weights to go lift! Don’t just drink and get fatter!”
“We’ve only 8 weeks to work on the pattern!”
“On Seyler, on Cowie, on Chapman & Richmond!
On Henry and Brandon, Parlato and Nickelson!”
“I need Michael Jordan at 8, and Brett in the centers,
Get on Facebook, you guys – we’re already short numbers!”

A great laugh erupted from the VRC faithful,
For that dedication is what set the table.
From Bice’s diplomacy, Pete Muirhead’s support work,
To Mark Smith’s tireless game-day help network.
The club has been blessed with a big-hearted fanbase,
Who back all divisions whether in first or last place.
Timmy Shaddick, Bob Flood & The alumni come out in force,
Amy, Nadine, and Pat Sorge, of course.
It feels good to look over at the sidelines all jammed,
It never gets old to know we have fans.
And so we all drank a toast to a great Rowers Year
To the feeling of union we all feel in here.
As ‘014 closes, ‘015 promises so much more,
For Cam Tompkins is hard at work on our World Cup Tour.

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Recent Rowing Club highlights

Close games leave Rowers wanting

By Braden Maccke

Here are some results from recent matches:

Thirds at UBC

The Rowers came out of the Thanksgiving bye with energy and enthusiasm. They looked prepared and ready to face an equally young and fit UBC squad. Second row forward Bjorn Morris opened the scoring with a well earned try built from strong phase play. UBC was able to equalize by taking advantage of a fortunate bounce, leaving the sides even.

Young fly half Trevor Calin showed great speed and a knack for taking advantage of space in a 50-yard run to pay dirt, and slotted the conversion for good measure. A successful penalty kick by fullback Mike Santoro left the Rowers' 3rds and UBC tied 17-17 at the half.

Both teams defended well in the 2nd half. The thirds ran in to handling errors when opportunities for unobstructed advances showed up. Neither team was able to find the in-goal area nor the sticks as UBC and the 3rds finished tied at 17.

First Division at UBC

The Rowers Understudies had a tough go of it against UBC, ending up on the wrong side of a 60-21 score line. Fullback Cannaon Karena put in 2 tries and substitute fullback Jesse Yankee put in one of his own. Adrian Meaning was perfect on conversions.

The Firsts avenged the loss the following weekend against the Ravens at home. Standout Irish flanker Brendan Fagen led with three tries as Trevor Caton and Adrian Meining scoring one each. The first looked like a team doing everything right in a 40-12 home victory. They’ll look to keep that momentum going.

Premier Division at UBC

The Premier Division was on the wrong end of a 34 – 27 loss away at UBC. The Prems trailed early, took the lead towards the end, but lost it again as a strong UBC squad rose to the occasion on their home pitch.

Lachlan Campbell, Brian Duram, Kevin Gurniak, and Dennis Barnett all scored Rowing Club tries as fly half Henry Recinos slotted 2 conversions and one penalty. Pack leader Chris Seyler spent 10 minutes in the bin on a yellow card.

The following weekend, the Prems mounted a poor showing against the rival UBCOB Ravens at Brockton, scoring only a penalty kick in a 34-3 loss. A feeling of determination has taken over the Prems training pitch and video room, as they try to right the ship.

Thirds vs. Kamloops at Brockton

The following week a 3rds pack thinned by injuries was clearly out-sized as a large, capable Kelowna team scored early and never quit. Defense was poor and, as a consequence, possessions were few.

Handling errors pocked the Rowers attack, and they were never able to establish any momentum on either side of the ball. Veteran 2nd row forward Maverick Seed played a very strong game despite the unfavourable result. The thirds will try to improve from the 45-3 home drubbing in their next match.

November 8

11:30 3rds @ Surrey (Sullivan Heights)
1:00 1sts @ Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park)
2:45 Premiers @ Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park)

Friday, October 03, 2014

Rowers to host annual Family Day

Full slate of games set for Brockton Oval

The Rowers challenge for a lineout in Kelowna Sept. 27. The third division side lost
the match 48-5. See here for more pictures.

It’s Family Day at the Oval Oct. 4. The Club will host Burnaby Lake for a full slate of matches and the annual family event will feature face painting for the kids, along with other games and events. It is also the opening day for the 2014-2015 premiership.

3RDS

The Rowers 3rd division traveled to Kelowna Sept. 27 for a game against KRFC Crows. The match provided a difficult spectacle for participants and spectators alike. Kelowna were the better team on the day, running out a 48-5 victory.

The visitors, for a lack of mental preparedness, could not properly harness the considerable fitness and talent they displayed the previous week against Burnaby. Many of the young Rowers on the squad were making their first rugby bus trip. The youngsters learned the hard way what road games are all about as they battled, futilely, against a very organized, very talented Kelowna team playing at home.

The Red & White showed flashes of eye-catching talent on offense, with long runs and broken tackles that amassed many yards. But the simplest aspects of the game proved to be the squads undoing. Poor tackling and weak defensive shape plagued the thirds and a lack of support caused turnover ball deep in Kelowna territory. After the match, many thirds were eager to show improvement versus Burnaby at Brockton Oval for Family Day.

Oct. 4

11:30 3rds vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)
1:00 1sts vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)
2:45 Premiers vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)

Oct. 11

Bye week: Thanksgiving Weekend

Oct. 18

11:30 3rds @ UBC (Wolfson Fields)
1:00 1sts @ UBC (Wolfson Fields
2:45 Premiers @ UBC (Wolfson Fields)

For the rest of the schedule visit this page: Rowers 2014-2015.

2014-2015 Season for the Vancouver Rowing Club

2014-2015 SEASON AT A GLANCE:

2014:
Oct. 04 - Rowers vs. Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Oct. 11 - Bye week
Oct. 18 - Rowers @ UBC (Wolfson Fields)
Oct. 25 - Rowers vs. UBCOB Ravens RFC
Nov. 01 - Rowers vs. James Bay AA
Nov. 08 - Rowers @ Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park)
Nov. 15 - Rowers vs. Capilano RFC
Nov. 22 - Rowers @ UVic (Wallace Field)

2015:
Jan. 31 - Bye Week
Feb. 07 - Rowers @ UBCOB Ravens RFC (Jericho Park)
Feb. 14 - Bye Week
Feb. 21 - Rowers vs. Castaway Wanderers RFC
Feb. 28 - Rowers @ Capilano RFC (Klahanie Park)
Mar. 07 - Bye Week
Mar. 14 - Rowers vs. UVic
Mar. 21 - Rowers @ Seattle (Exhibition)
Mar. 28 - Rowers vs. UBC
Apr. 04 - Bye Week
Apr. 11 - Rowers @ Burnaby (Burnaby Lake)
Apr. 18 - Rowers @ James Bay AA (MacDonald Park)

Stay tuned to Ruck-Muck for all the latest new and post-match reports.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Rowers visit Burnaby

Thirds win on road; premiers and firsts round out pre-season—

By Braden Maccke


The Rowers travelled east Sept. 20 to visit the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club. The thirds picked up a win, while the first and premier sides dropped their final matches of the Mainland Cup preseason tourney.
Denis Barnett outpaces Burnaby Lake defenders en route to a 50-plus metre run
for a try Sept. 20.

Barnett touches the ball down for 5 points after a 50-plus metre run Sept. 20. The
Rowing Club's third div squad won the march 40-5.

3RDS

The Vancouver Rowing Club’s third division earned a convincing 40-5 victory over Burnaby Lake Sept. 20. The Thirds’ young core made use of their rapidly growing rugby knowledge, and considerable fitness, to best an experienced Burnaby Lake squad for one of the high points of the Rowers’ matches that day.

The thirds move to 1-1 with the win, good for 4th place in the Mainland 3rd div behind the Kats, Scribes, and UBC (all 2-0). The thirds have posted a respectable +33 point differential, which they’ll take to Kelowna Sept. 27.


1STS

The first division came up short in a 36-17 preseason loss to Burnaby Lake. This tune up, the understudies’ second loss of the pre-season, will have the firsts looking hard at improving their defense. The squad is getting steadily better. They are no doubt looking forward to a rematch with Burnaby to open the season at Brockton Oval Oct 4.


PREMIERS

The Rowing Club’s premier squad fell 36-24 in a well-contested match away at Burnaby. The top side’s fitness impressed, and their pattern looked like a functional working model destined for improvement the more it is run.

The premiers defended well and controlled the ball with efficiency at times. Burnaby has a very large and physical squad and the Rowers will have two weeks to make adjustments before their rematch Oct. 4 at Brockton.


Sept. 27

3rds @ Kelowna
1sts and premiers - Bye Week


Oct. 4

11:30 3rds vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)
1:00 1sts vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)
2:45 Premiers vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)

Tuesday, September 02, 2014

Fight Night 6 Preview



Fight Night 6 Preview


The Ruck Muck is getting excited for the club’s annual amateur boxing fundraiser, Fight Night 6. Here are some matchup previews with more to come as we get closer to Fight Night. Tickets are going quick, so book your spot at rowersfightnight.com!


Seyler vs. Kaye

Chris Seyler is a stalwart of the Rowers Premier side. The 2013 MVP is known for his work ethic, leadership and toughness. The hooker’s impact and determination is legendary. Seyler doesn’t get out-muscled, out-lifted or ever rattled. He was among the first players to answer a call for fighters and, predictably, Sportdsesk Promotions had trouble finding a willing opponent.

Brandon Kaye doesn’t appear to be intimidated by The White Kimbo. He’s giving up some weight, but has a clear reach advantage and will no doubt rely on his athleticism. Kaye has risen quickly through the divisions since joining the VRC last year. The quiet lock has used his speed, conditioning and talent to gain an understanding of the game uncommon to 2nd year players. The former baseball star and and current Better Bodies personal trainer has dedicated himself to his pre-fight training and will doubtlessly bring a tactical, high energy approach into the ring September 12th.

Expect an entertaining fight from this pair. Both fighters are well-conditioned and tenacious, so they’ll be punching through the final bell.

Dignan vs. Parlato

Lock It Up Productions own Italian Stallion Justin Parlato took a hands-on approach to filling the fight card for FN6, putting his hand up to be ½ of the evening’s heavyweight throw down. The big 2nd row buriser has never been the type of player to shy away from contact, and may be the only rower with the physical and mental ability to stand in against Dignan.

Sean ‘The Irish Giant’ Dignan is the largest Rower in any division. His combination of size and natural athletic ability is rare, and his height and reach complement his latest adventure as a heavyweight fighter. Reports out of the Dignan training camp are optimistic. Dignan is known for compulsively sticking up for teammates, so we’re looking forward to seeing if that aggression can be controlled and focused for long enough to get him to decision time against Parlato.

With both fighters over 6' tall and weighing in north of 230 lbs, this has the potential to be a heavyweight tilt for the ages.