Thirds open with victory

VRC picks up road win on the mountain--

By Braden Maccke

Andy Donn (left) discusses game strategy with Diarmuid Walsh during a 3rd
division game last year. The Thirsty Thirds open the spring season with a
convincing 41-10 win over SFU Feb. 16. Photo: Malin Jordan

The VRC’s third division squad built on their big exhibition win over Richmond earlier this month and dominated the SFU Clansmen Feb. 16. The thirsty thirds posted a 41-10 win on the opening weekend of the third division’s spring season.

The Rowers controlled the game almost from the opening kickoff. The thirds showed promising resilence on the road after facing some early adversity. The side offered a good mix of experienced veterans bolstered by the sprightly youth and enthusiasm from some of the clubs newest players.

The Rowers ball control was the key to the game. The Rowing Club coaches had emphasized to their charges the importance of proper handling in contact and strong rucking with ball retention. Liam Carter, a young P.E.I. import, scored three tries to earn man of the match honours.

Coaches Kelly Egilsson, Simon Taylor, and player-coach Jamie Overgaard agreed this year’s thirds squad is shaping up to be a well-rounded team.

February 23

1:00 p.m. – 3RD XV @ Chilliwack
1:00 p.m. – 2ND XV @ Langley
2:30 p.m. – 1ST XV @ Langley

Rowers split to open second half

VRC wins one and loses one to UBC--

By Braden Maccke--

Alex Ackerley takes a penalty kick against UBC in the "Mud Bowl" game
in 2009. The Rowers defeated UBC in seconds last week, but lost in the
first division match up. The teams meet again April 6 at Wolfson Fields.

The Rowers opened up the second half of the their 2012-2013 campaign with a win and a loss Feb. 9 as they battled UBC, one of the top clubs in the table.

2ND DIVISION

The Rowing Club 2nd division opened the second half of the season against a very young, fit, and well-drilled UBC squad. Despite a lack of size and experience, UBC compensated well with an abundance of speed, and work ethic.

The Thunderbirds opened strong, steadily beating the Rowing Club defense towards their own goal line. Against the play, Rowers’ captain and scrum half Duncan James shot out of the defensive line to intercept a UBC pass and run it back for a try. Fly half Richie Thompson converted the marker to put the home side ahead by seven.

Undaunted, the young university squad was able to bash away at the VRC’s goal line until they finally put one in. The conversion failed, bringing the score to 7-5.

The Rowers showed effective control of the ball and the game for a time, resulting in hooker Aaron “Sushi” Collard scoring on a 5-yard run from a forward pod to put the home side up 12-5. The defense, however, was unable to contain UBC’s wide-open game of high-paced kick-and-chase rugby, allowing a converted try to even the score 12-12 at the half.

Duncan James ran a tight offense in the second half, making good use of the forward pack to move the ball for short yardage, and then going wide to Thompson and the backs for longer runs. James scored another try to give the Rowers the lead again at 17-12. James continued to effectively manage UBC’s pressure game and was able to set up Thompson for a line-drive drop goal in the dying minutes of the match. Final score Rowers 20 - UBC 12.

With the win the Rowers (8-1) pull to within three points of first place Abbotsford (8-1).

1ST DIVISION

The Rowing Club’s top side drew first blood against an excellent selection of UBC’s best with an early converted try. But UBC didn’t take long to respond, drawing even shortly after.

The students quickly exposed holes in the Rowers’ defense and exploited them to run the score up to a comfortable 27-14 margin by halftime.

Undaunted, the Rowing Club 1st division dug deep in the second half, fixing the holes in the defense and making good use of the speed in their back line. Fullback Kevin Gurniak tore up the sideline with two of his characteristic 20-plus metre streaks into open space, while winger Brock Nicholson, and substitute-centre Karl Mudzamba, used their quickness and toughness to break tackles, gaining many yards in open space.

More Rowers crossed the line for tries in the afternoon, including second-row-captain Phil Hosie, flanker Josh Scheiner, flanker Ben Keith, and Nicholson. Centre-back Caleb Hansen dove into the corner of the in-goal area with the ball in an animated imitation of Chris Ashton. He was slow to get up, but the try counted.

The comeback attempt fell short, though, as the Rowers were down 42-29 at full-time whistle. Each team earned a bonus point.

Head Coach Jeremy Sabell, though disappointed with the loss, was impressed with his top team’s resilience. The Rowing Club will face the T-Birds again April 6 at UBC’s Wolfson fields in what will no doubt be a test of how much the team can improve relative to UBC between now and then.

With the loss the Rowers (6-3) fall to third place behind Abbotsford (7-2).

FEB. 16

Tomorrow the VRC thirds play SFU on Burnaby Mountain, while the 1sts and 2nds have a bye.

Games On!

Rowers kick off spring campaign this weekend at Brockton Oval--

Henry Recinos beats two tacklers as he dives in for a try against
Seattle RFC. Photo: M. Jordan

Brockton will be busy in 2013 as the Rowing Club plays at the Oval five times in eight match ups.

The second half of the 2012-2013 season opens this weekend when the VRC hosts the UBC Thunderbirds Feb. 9. The first match of the day kicks off at 1:00 p.m.

Here’s a look at the complete spring schedule:

Feb. 9

Bye: 3rds
1:00 p.m. 2nds vs. UBC (Brockton Oval)
2:30 p.m. 1sts vs. UBC (Brockton Oval)

Feb. 16

Bye: 1sts & 2nds
1:00 p.m. 3rds @ SFU (Burnaby Mountain)
TBA: Dunbar Cup (U20) – Vancouver vs. Fraser Valley (Brockton Oval)
TBA: McKechnie Cup (Senior Men) – Vancouver vs. Fraser Valley (Brockton Oval)

Feb. 23

1:00 p.m. 3rds @ Chilliwack (Yarrow Sports Field)
1:00 p.m. 2nds @ Langley RFC (Crush Crescent)
2:30 p.m. 1sts @ Langley RFC (Crush Crescent)

March 2

11:30 a.m. 3rds vs. Capilano “B” (Brockton Oval)
1:00 p.m. 2nds vs. United Rugby Club (Brockton Oval -- Postponed until April 27)
2:30 p.m. 1sts vs. United Rugby Club (Brockton Oval-- Postponed until April 27)

March 9

11:30 a.m. 3rds vs. Richmond RFC (Brockton Oval)
1:00 p.m. 2nds vs. Richmond RFC (Brockton Oval)
2:30 p.m. 1sts vs. Richmond RFC (Brockton Oval)

March 16

11:30 a.m. 3rds @ Burnaby “B” (Burnaby Lake Sports Complex)
1:00 p.m. 2nds @ Seattle RFC (Warren G. Magnuson Park)
2:30 p.m. 1sts @ Seattle RFC (Warren G. Magnuson Park)

March 23

11:30 a.m. 3rds vs. Abbotsford RFC (Brockton Oval)
1:00 p.m. 2nds vs. Abbotsford RFC (Brockton Oval)
2:30 p.m. 1sts vs. Abbotsford RFC (Brockton Oval)

March 30

No games scheduled: make-up weekend.

April 6

11:30 a.m. 3rds @ UBC (Wolfson Fields)
1:00 p.m. 2nds @ UBC (Wolfson Fields)
2:30 p.m. 1sts @ UBC (Wolfson Fields)

April 13

Bye: 1sts & 2nds
1:00 p.m. 3rds @ Ridge Meadows (Thomas Haney Secondary School)

April 20

11:30 a.m. 3rds vs. Surrey Beavers AA (Brockton Oval)
1:00 p.m. 2nds vs. Surrey Beavers AA (Brockton Oval)
2:30 p.m. 1sts vs. Surrey Beavers AA (Brockton Oval)

April 27

Third division  "B" quarterfinals:
6 @ 1
5 @ 2
4 @ 3

1:00 p.m. 2nds vs.  United Rugby Club (Brockton Oval)

2:30 p.m. 1sts vs.  United Rugby Club (Brockton Oval)

May 4

First division semifinals:
Mainland 3 @ Mainland 1
Mainland 2 @ Island 1

Second division semifinals:
Mainland 4 @ Mainland 1
Mainland 3 @ Mainland 2

Third division "B" semifinals:
Seed 3 @ Seed 1
Seed 2 @ Island 2

May 11

First division: Provincial Final - winner offered promotion.
Second division: Provincial Final.
Third division "B": Provincial Final.

News from the VRC

Rowers' Round-up

By Kelly Egilsson
As the second half is set to kick off next month, there are many things happening with the club.

 

Registration

Players MUST be registered before playing (Rugby BC/Canada insurance, ref fees, field fees, etc.).
http://vancouverrowingclub.ca/Rugby-(1)/Join-Us.aspx

VRC Thirsty Thirds Poker Tournament

Make sure to get your 2nd Annual Thirsty Thirds Poker Tournament tickets for this Saturday, Feb. 2nd, suitably held at the Labatt Beer Institute!

Contact Justin Parlato or Jamie Overgaard for tickets. https://www.facebook.com/events/148881178596729/

Oh Captain, My Captain

From Matty James:
Mark your calendars! March 2 is the annual Captains' Dinner. This year, the second annual Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Norman Jack.

For the new guys, this is a male only event with the infamous rookie gravy chugging. We are putting the final details together so watch the Rowers' Facebook page for more information.

We have three home games that day -- 3rds vs Caps, 1sts & 2nds vs United. It's also a great opportunity to thank Norman Jack for all the effort he has put into the club for over 50 years!

We sell out every year. It's a wonderful chance to introduce yourself to our past captains and alumni that made it possible for us to continue to enjoy the Rowers' traditions and the best club house in the world.

Show your support for this event -- it's not one to be missed.

VRC Players Represent

From Jeremy Sabell:
A BIG congratulations goes out to all the Rowing Club Academy grads who played prominent roles on both sides of the ball Jan.26 as Vancouver U20 downed Vancouver Island U20 34-27 at Westhills Stadium in Victoria in round one of the Dunbar Cup. (Vancouver's next game is Feb. 16 against the Fraser Valley at Brockton Oval.)

Ryan Chapman, Sean Hickson, Scyler Dumas, Ben Keith, Isaac Kaay, Connor Hamilton, Alex Mascott, Kirk Bonnis, James Pitblado, Zach Zachary Sourisseau, and two products of our high school program at Vancouver College: Charlie Thorpe and Reid Tucker all played well. Kaay, Hickson, and Thorpe all had tries in a close game.

At any given time one third of the players on the pitch were from the VRC.

Henry Recinos was with the men's team as well -- so a huge day for our club all the way around.

In addition to the above-mentioned fifteens players, U17 Rower, Carter Illing, is heading to Las Vegas on the B.C. U17 sevens squad.

Rowers topple Kamloops

Firsts find redemption

Photos: Malin Jordan

Carlin Wilkin dives over the tryline in the Rowers' 33-18 victory over
Kamloops Dec. 1. 

Winning has a way of taking the sting out of a previous loss. Back in October the Rowers’ first division squad was a first-place, undefeated side, when they suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Kamloops. (The Rowers gave up a last-minute try in the losing effort.) But redemption is sweet and the VRC's top side tasted it Dec. 1 at Brockton Oval when they downed Kamloops in the rematch.


The Super Twos also toppled Kamloops, but their rematch was much closer than the thumping the seconds laid on Kamloops back in October.

1STS

Steve MacGillivary makes a tackle in the first half.

The firsts opened the scoring about five minutes in when Kevin Gurniak chased a Matty James cover-kick from the Rowers’ 40-metre line. Gurniak raced neck-and-neck with three Kamloops defenders until the ball trickled near Kamloops’ tryline. Then Gurniak ignited his afterburners, rocketed past the defenders, and touched the ball down for the Rowers’ first try of the day, 7-0.

A Rower makes a tackle in the first half.

“James and Gurniak combined early with some kick and chase wizardry – Gurniak picking up the grounded ball on the fly without losing a single km/h,” noted head coach Jeremy Sabel.

But despite the lightning start, Kamloops bounced right back, posting a penalty goal and an unconverted try for a quick 8-7 lead. It was short-lived though, as Carlin Wilkin speared a Kamloops pass soon after, trotting 30 metres for an easy try, 14-8.

“Carlin, who was massive all day in the midfield, intercepted that pass under pressure and went under the sticks,” Sabel said.

From there the Rowers controlled the flow of play even as Kamloops retained some good ball and stole the momentum at times.

Sabell explained that one of the try scorers, Nolan Laderoute, was an 18-year old Rowers’ Rugby Academy grad. “He stepped gingerly through would-be tacklers to score on debut.”

Sabell said the whole squad contributed to the win with a huge defensive effort, adding that notable standouts were: Wilkin, George Richmond, Matt Cox, Gurniak, James, and Laderoute. Final score: 33-18.

With the victory, the 1sts (6-2) leapfrog Kamloops (6-3) to take sole possession of third place. Tries: George Richmond, Carlin Wilkin, Kevin Gurniak, Matty James, and Nolan Laderoute.

2NDS

Jordan Armstrong falls short of the tryline, by about an inch, late in the
second half.

Sacha Floyd carries the ball toward the Kamloops line late
in the second half.

The second division team played a much-tougher Kamloops side than they faced Oct. 13 at Rayleigh Rugby Park. That win, a runaway at 75-25, was the exact opposite of the nail-biter played out at the Oval.

After scoring an early try to jump out 5-0, both sides battled without giving or taking much ground for most of the rest of the first half. With five minutes left in the opening frame, Kamloops managed to snatch a try to tie the game 5-5. But the Rowers’ stormed right back on the ensuing kickoff, scoring a converted try to go up 12-5 as the half-time whistle blew.

Despite some great attacking running from both sides, the score remained 12-5 for almost the entire second half. Most of it was played in the Kamloops end, as the squad from the interior camped out on their own tryline for a 25-minute goalline stand.

As the Rowers pressed for points, they continued to take penalties, lose the ball in contact, and suffer multiple, self-inflicted knock-ons. This kept Kamloops in the game. After missing an attempt for three points on a rare Kamloops penalty, “Irish” Ritchie Thompson soon made up for his “wide-left.”

“It was a brilliant drop-goal dagger that sealed the win,” noted Sabel, adding that Thompson’s last-minute three knocked the fight out of Kamloops. “It was a hard-fought slugfest that was slowed by the weather and defensive determination from Kamloops.”

The Super Twos' front row gets ready to pack down in the second half.

Forward Sacha Floyd played a blinder in the second frame, running from anywhere and everywhere with the ball, breaking tackles, making the gain-line, and retaining ball in contact. In the backs, Jordan Armstrong also played well, making the Kamloops defenders miss more often than they could tackle him. Final score 15-5.

Special mentions go to Justin “Special P” Parlato for some lengthy power rambles with the ball and to Dillon DeBono for great work around the rucks. The squad climbs to 7-1 with the win.

FIRST HALF REFLECTIONS

Sabell said the club could be pleased with their performance and standings after the first half of the season closed.

“When you consider that at any given time, since early September, we have had no fewer than 15 players and as many as 20 from our top two divisions out with injury, the boys have done extremely well to maintain cohesion and gel as a group with lots of character.”

He added that a good core of players returned from last season, but that they have been bolstered by plenty of new faces in the squad.

“It’s been great to see how quickly the guys have come together as a team. The challenge now is to get healthier, stronger, and fitter over the break so that we can step up our performance several more notches in the second half.”

The VRC’s next matches take place Feb. 9 when the 1sts and 2nds host UBC at the Oval.

Irish Ritchie's drop goal seals the win for the Rowers.

Gareth Brown pops the ball back inside during 1st division play.

Rob McDonnell passes the ball off in the first half of 2nd division play.

Battle set for Brockton Oval

Rowers look for redemption in rematch--

The VRC seconds take on Kamloops Oct. 13 at Rayleigh Rugby Park.
While the seconds won their match 75-25 that day, the firsts fell to
Kamloops 32-25.

After a tough road loss to Kamloops in October, the first division finally has a shot at redemption. This weekend the Rowing Club faces Kamloops RFC at Brockton Oval. The first division lost in Kamloops earlier this year 32-25.

Both squads posted road wins last weekend against the Surrey Beavers and the VRC could take the sting out of the winter break by closing out this half of the season with two more victories.

Member-at-large Matty James is encouraging all fans and alumni to make it down to the pitch in Stanley Park for the final match of the half. (He also noted that anyone who wants tickets to the Dec. 15 Christmas party, could grab them from him at the same time.)

1STS

The fourth-place Rowers (5-2) only fell short of Kamloops (6-2) by seven points in their previous encounter. Currently, the KRC holds down third place in the log, but the Rowers could leapfrog them win a bonus-point win.

This weekend the Rowers desperately need to start better than they did last week, as they had to battle back from an early 19-point deficit.

2NDS

The Super Twos (6-1) downed Kamloops (2-6) by a 75-25 margin in the Thompson River Valley Oct. 13. The squad is also looking to start better than they did last week when they too gave up an early lead. The squad battled from behind and eventually won, led by Jonathan Mergui’s two-try performance.

Kick off times at Brockton Oval:

1:00 Second XV vs Kamloops
2:30 First XV vs Kamloops

Rowers pick up two wins in Surrey

Both squads underscore victory with bonus-point win--

By Braden Maccke

Nick Coles runs in for a try as the Rowers battle Surrey at Brockton Oval
earlier this year. The VRC travelled to Surrey Nov. 24 and won both their
matches against the Beavers.

The Vancouver Rowing Club secured two solid wins Nov. 24 after downing the Surrey Beavers in firsts and seconds. Both teams ran in four-plus try perfomances to score the maximum five victory points, while Surrey's first division side garnered a bonus-point loss.

2NDS

The Rowing Club 2nd division arrived at Sullivan Athletic Park on a cold November morning in scattered fashion. An accident on the Alex Fraser Bridge complicated traffic and delayed the Rowers warm-up.

But the Super-Twos started strong, nevertheless, as new centre-back "Bonny Irish" Colm ran in an early try around the fifth minute. Fly-half Richie Thompson slotted the conversion and the Rowers had the early momentum with a 7-0 lead.

Despite the try, the Surrey Beavers stuck to a pack-dominant inside game and clearly out-rucked the visiting side. After notching a penalty goal, the Beavers launched a goal-line attack that lasted several minutes. The onslaught saw three scrums at the five-metre line and the Beavers finally crossed over to score an unconverted try, taking the lead 8-7.

On the ensuing re-start, Rowing Club flanker, Ben Keith, was knocked unconscious in a tackle, bringing a tense moment, and an early half-time, as he was attended to by paramedics. Keith eventually left the field under his own power, to everyone's relief.

Surrey continued their forward-attacking game play in the second half, but the VRC defense continually held strong. Bolstered by the power running of a resurgent Jonathan Mergui (who replaced the injured Keith), the Beavers were relegated to the back foot as the tide of momentum shifted into the Rowers' favour. The well-drilled Rowing Club then took advantage of each opportunity, scoring four unanswered tries in the second half to come away with a 27-8 victory.

Returning after recovering from a serious neck injury, Mergui led the try parade. "It was my birthday and the first time I ever scored two tries in a game!" he exclaimed after the match. "Bonny Irish" Colm also crossed the line twice, and the other substitute flanker, Gareth Brown, added a try of his own. Eight-man Colin “John C. Riley” Robinson also had a stalwart game quarterbacking the VRC scrum.

Although rucking and defense were not executed at the standard to which the 2nds hold themselves, the club can be happy with the victory and the bonus point.

1STS

The Club’s top side came out flat against Surrey, surrendering a 19-0 lead early on. Realizing they were unprepared for the level of game the Beavers were bringing, the Rowing Club rallied around the outstanding rucking and inside-ball play of pack-leader Phil Hosie. After Hosie unleashed some dominant play at the breakdowns his squad answered with a converted try.

But Surrey battled right back and scored another converted try, restoring their 19-point lead, making it 26-7.

Undeterred, the Rowing Club opened the game up with even more hard rucking. This allowed them to win some critical ball at the breakdowns, in turn, allowing for some creative back-line play. The Rowers built on that momentum to keep themselves in contention and eventually opened up the game, running in try after try.

Carlin “Chuck Norris” Wilkin had an outstanding game, scoring two tries, breaking for numerous large gains, and provoking spectator reactions with his many hard hits. Wilkin earned the coveted VRC Match-Day Hammer from Coach Sabell for his efforts.


Centre-back Scyler Dumas, full-back Matty James, tight-head prop Sean Dignan, and second-row Phil Hosie, all contributed tries, three of which were converted by fullback Doug Crowe. Crowe also added a penalty kick to seal the dramatic 19-point deficit comeback. Final score: VRC 39 – Surrey Beavers 26. Rowers Head Coach Jeremy Sabell, clearly proud of his charges, commented that the game was “really neat to watch.”

Both sides face Kamloops at the Oval this weekend. See Thursday's Ruck-Muck for a match breakdown.

*This story has been edited from a previous version.

Thirsty Thirds suffer defeat; big weekend ahead for 1's and 2's

VRC's Thirds lose in the shield semi-final—

The Thirsty Thirds' fall season came to an end Nov.17 after they suffered a big defeat in the 3rd Division Shield semi-final. Battling the Bayside Sharks at South Surrey Athletic Park, the Surrey squad proved to be too much for the Rowers as the Sharks piled on try after try, winning the match 51-0.

The thirds will start a fresh season in February. The new spring season may see a revamped 3rd division alignment that may split the current 16-team league into two tiers -possible an eight-team 'A' and 'B' division.

This Weekend

The Rowers’ first and second squads take to the road this weekend to battle the Surrey Beavers in the VRC's penultimate games of the first half. Both squads have been idle since Nov. 3 when they both suffered defeats away to Abbotsford. The VRC's top two teams will be looking to notch a “W” back in the win column and build some momentum before rematches against Kamloops Dec. 1 at Brockton Oval.

1's

VRC's firsts (4-2) are sitting in fourth place in the log as the sixth place Beavers (3-4) look to make it two wins in a row after drubbing Seattle RFC 43-0 at home last week. The Beaver's are hoping to move ahead of Richmond and take sole possession of fifth place with a win over the Rowers.

2's

The Rowers' seconds squad (5-1) are currently in third place after suffering their only defeat of the season Nov. 3. The Surrey Beavers (4-3) currently hold fourth spot in the log, four points behind the Rowers, after garnering a bonus point in a tight loss to Seattle - 24-23 - at Sullivan Heights last week. Surrey is hoping to supplant the Super Twos for third place overall with a bonus-point win.

Nov. 24

Kick off at Surrey's Sullivan Heights Park:
1:00 p.m. Second XV vs. Surrey
2:30 p.m. First XV vs. Surrey

The future looks bright for the Rowers

Mini ruggers at VRC Club Day Sept. 22.

Successful summer bolsters club--

By Ian Cooper

This past summer saw some significant representative action from VRC Age Grade Rugby players, with a gold medal performance at the U14 Festival in Oakville, Ontario, gold medal performances in Sherbrooke from the U18 and U16 men, and Academy representation in the U20 IRB Trophy Tournament and U20 fixtures vs the USA.

VRC Academy

Academy players Noah Barker, Gradyn Bowd and Doug Crowe travelled with Canada to the U20 World Trophy this summer while Caleb Hansen trialled for Canada U20 vs USA and played in 2 matches for the BC Tyee Senior Men’s team in the CRC competition. Meanwhile, down in Brisbane, three Academy players are going into action in their respective Colts Divisions to vie for Grand Final titles: Sean Hickson, Connor Leduc and Ryan Chapman.

Gradyn Bowd crashes Richmond's line last year at King George Park.
Bowd travelled with Canada's U20 squad last summer along with Noah
Barker and Doug Crowe (not pictured).

U18

At U18, after a taxing semifinal against bitter rivals Ontario, BC hit their stride during Sunday's championship final as they recorded six tries en route to a 40-16 final victory over Alberta.  Vancouver Rowing Club U18 player Robert Fenton was a standout during all matches.

U16

During the U16 tournament, final play found a tightly contested final between the country's biggest rivals, the BC-1 Gold U16 men's team led from start to finish narrowly defeating Ontario-1 by a score of 15-13. BC took a comfortable 12-0 lead into half time through tries by Theo Sauder (Vancouver Rowing Club) and Jack Nyren (Castaway Wanderers RFC)  with Nyren providing the conversion.  Representing the Rowing club were stalwarts Alexi Bonnis, Marc Levin, Reegan O'Gorman and Theo Sauder.

U14

Mini ruggers at VRC Club Day Sept. 22.

The U14 Boy's National Interprovincial Festival wrapped up Sept. 7 with British Columbia's 'Growl' defeating Ontario 15-0 in the 15-a-side tournament final.  Four of our young stars represented the Rowers: Will Sauder (Theo’s younger brother), Owen Pitblado (James’ younger brother), Sam Turner, and Gavin Humphries. Congratulations to all.

The future looks bright for Rowers Rugby!

Rowers lose in Abbotsford

VRC suffers three losses in Fraser Valley

Photos: Malin Jordan

Henry Recinos slots three for the Rowers in their
29-3 loss to Abbotsford Nov. 3.

The weather was miserable, the pitch was soggy, and the nothing went the Rowers’ way Nov. 3 as Abbotsford soundly defeated all three VRC squads at CFV Exhibition Park. “We didn't get the results we wanted, despite the efforts, and sometimes that's they way it goes,” head coach Jeremy Sabell said after the matches.

3RDS

As the heavy rain began to pound the pitch, the Thirsty Thirds limped out of the gate. Their sluggish start was evident from the kick off as Abbotsford posted a try one minute into the match. Abbotsford added two more tries in the first 5 minutes and the Thirsties were down 21-0. After the third-try wake-up-call, the Rowers started to finish tackles and started to hit the rucks with force, making a game out of the match. Abby added a late try in the half to make it 26-0.

The Rowers continued to fight in the second, despite the lopsided scoreline. Abbotsford added two more tries in the half but they didn’t break the Rowers line for long runs like they did in the infancy of the first frame. Final score: 38-0. Next game: Shield playoff round, Nov. 17. (The probable match up is @ Klahanie vs. Cap “B.”)

2NDS

Duncan James off loads to David Andersen in 2nd
division action about 10 metres out from the goal line.

The Rowers 2nd division played well against Abbotsford in what had to be one of the muddiest games on record. Despite the conditions, the referee made it clear early that he would consider the ball free of the ruck the instant a player put two hands on it. This made for a much slower game than it already was.

Andersen carried two Abbotsford defenders five metres
before touching the ball down for a try.

But the Rowers rucked well in the muck, though they were unable to establish any momentum in a game characterized by frequent knock-ons, and a lack of fluidity.

Later in the game, the Rowers pressed for a try with a sustained goal-line attack, but it was cut short on a questionable knock-on call. The errant slip deflated a critical scoring chance. Following the knock-on, Abbotsford scored a try after a series of kick-and-chase punts that spanned 90 metres, and the Super Twos never recovered from there.

Abbotsford won the game 31-20 and came away with a bonus point. The Rowers are no doubt looking forward to the rematch March 23 at Brockton Oval. The squad (5-1) falls to third place with the loss. Next game: Nov. 24 at Surrey.

1STS

The day didn’t get any better for the Rowing Club when the first division squad took the field. Although the Rowers started with some momentum, playing in the Abbotsford end in the beginning of the game, they couldn’t convert their early possession into very many points.

The Rowers hit an early three but failed to build on it. Abbotsford played well and retained most of their ball in rucks and mauls. Final score: 29-3. The squad (4-2) falls to fourth place with the loss. Next game: Nov. 24 at Surrey.

Braden Maccke rambles through some Abbotsford defenders early
in the game Nov. 3.

Braden Maccke.

Braden Maccke.