Rowers' round-up for Friday March 30

Road trip to Washington; revised 3rds' schedule is out--

The Thirsty-Thirds in action versus Abby.

All three Rowers' squad travel to Seattle this weekend for games in The Emerald City.

The Thirsty-Thirds play an exhibition match against the Eastside Axeman at Marymoor Park, while the ones and twos battle the SRFC at Magnusson Park.

The firsts (6-1) ran out a 56-10 win over Seattle (4-3) in their first match in Vancouver, but Seattle is always stronger at home. Expect a difficult game for the Rowers' top squad.

The Super-Twos (5-1) streaked to a 55-10 win over Seattle( 2-3) in their first encounter of the spring season at Brockton Oval. Again, expect a tough match for the tourists.

Revised 3rds schedule

The Thirsty-Thirds have two more games added to their season, which includes an exhibition match and a make up game:

March 31: Away to Eastside Axemen in Seattle (exhibition)

April 7: Away to Bayside Sharks (make-up)

April 14: Away to Capilanos

April 21: Home to Surrey Beavers

See next week's Rowers' Ruck-Muck for a recap of the Seattle tour.

VRC Nation: Photo of the Day

JUMP BALL--

Duncan James hacks the ball down field after out-hustling a couple of Bayside players following a high punt. The Sharks downed the Rowers 50-26 in the match and reclaimed first place in the log.
(photo: Malin Jordan)

Rowers win one, lose two at home

Seconds stay atop the log with the lone victory of the day
(Photos: Malin Jordan)

Dillon Debono leaps for a try against Bayside's
second division team March 24.

The Vancouver Rowing Club garnered one victory March 24 but suffered two defeats to the Bayside Sharks at Brockton Oval.

2nds
The Super-Twos (5-1) remain in first overall after streaking to a 30-13 win over the Bayside twos. With the win, the Super-Twos will likely head into the playoffs as the number one seed.

They are 10 points up on Bayside, but the Sharks have a game in hand.

Lucas Clark tackles a Bayside player in the air after kick-off.

1sts
The Might-Firsts (6-1) lost their first match of the spring campaign as Bayside (6-1) snapped the Rowers' undefeated run with a 50-26 win.

The Rowers started strong but seemed to miss key tackles on pivotal Bayside attacking runs. Those scrambles resulted in tries and the Rowers found themselves down early in the match.

Things worsened for the squad in the first half when hooker Lucas Clark (pictured) was given a yellow card for tackling a Bayside player in the air.

Duncan James dives in for a try in the first division game.

The Mighty-Firsts managed to claw some points back in the second half with some nice tries, including a zigzagging sprint to line by Karl Mudzamba, which provided for a much more flattering scoreline.

Though both teams have identical records, the firsts are now alone in second place with 29 points to Bayside's 32. (The Sharks have won 3 more bonus points than the Rowers.)

3rds
It was a long, hot day for the Thirsty-Thirds as they battled an undefeated Bayside squad in the first match of the day.

The Rowers started strong and scored the first try when Jakey Curtis juked his way across the try-line from a few metres out. But that was as close to winning as the 3rds could manage as Bayside ran in try after try, winning the match 37-7.

A Rower hammers the ball loose in a tackle against Bayside in 3rd
division action March 24. Photo Credit: Attilio Mastrota.

The thirds battle Bayside again in two weeks in Whiterock. The first and seconds travel to Seattle this weekend for matches at Magnusson Park.

Karl Mudzamba runs in a try in first
division action.

Destination: Brockton Oval

All three teams play at home this weekend--

George Richmond reels in a line-out ball March 17.

Saturday's a rugby day. And Brockton Oval is the place to be March 24 for citizens of the VRC Nation. All three Rowing Club rugby divisions play host at their Stanley Park ground to the Bayside Sharks. Thirds kick-off at 11:30 a.m., seconds kick-off at 1 p.m., and firsts kick-off at 2:30 p.m.


The weekend's games are pivotal for all three divisions. 

1sts
The Mighty-Firsts (6-0) are only one point up on  second place Bayside (5-1). Their last match was extremely close and only ended 37-35 in favour of the Rowers. Matty James' penalty goal was the difference. Bayside will be looking for revenge in a match that will likely determine which team ends up first overall in the Okanagan Spring Brewery Leauge 1.  


2nds
The Super-Twos (4-1) are also holding down first overall in the Okanagan Spring Brewery League 2 with 20 points, but Bayside (3-1), sitting at 15 points, have a game in hand. The last match between the squads ended 22-5 for the Rowing Club, but don't expect a repeat of that score. Bayside will play a much tougher game this time around. And with the Rowers coming off a 14-5 loss at Richmond, they'll need to dig deep to if they wish for a repeat win against the Sharks. (The Sharks comfortably beat Richmond a couple of weeks ago 43-0.) 

3rds
After climbing back up to .500 last week, the Thirsty-Thirds (2-2) will have to work hard as they battle an undefeated Bayside squad (3-0) in the Province Wide Third Division. The teams haven't met this year. Bayside's last game was a 48-0 win over Richmond March 3 and the Rowers last game was a 60-10 win over Richmond last week. This game could determine whether or not the Thirsty-Thirds make it into the playoffs. 

The weather forecast for Saturday is sunny, with a high of 12°C.

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?

Rowers away to Richmond RFC

First division action versus Richmond Feb. 18 at Brockton Oval.

-All three Rowers squads battle the Richmond Rugby Football Club at King George Park on St. Patrick's Day.

Coming off a big win against Bayside March 10, the Mighty-Firsts (5-0) look to extend their undefeated streak to 6 games against fourth place Richmond (1-4). Both squads fought a tough battle at the Oval Feb. 18 in which the Rowers only secured their 18-12 win in the last stage of the game. Richmond notched their first win of the season last week over Velox, 46-10.

The Super-Twos (4-0) face a 3rd place Richmond squad (2-2). In their first meeting of the Spring Season, the Rowers shut out Richmond 29-0. Last week Richmond downed Velox, 8-0.

The Thirsty-Thirds (1-2) kick-off the day against the Richmond thirds (0-4) at 11:30. The 3rds are coming off a 29-5 loss to Abbotsford last week, while Richmond are coming off an 80-0 loss to Burnaby A.

In other news, Rowing Club rugger, and Canadian Forces vet, Trevor Green signs copies of his new book at the Robson Street Chapters at 2 p.m. on Saturday. It is Trevor`s third book.

VRC Nation: Photo of the day

--Matty James and Duncan James tackle a Bayside player in the Rowers' 37-35 victory over the Sharks March 10.

Photo courtesy of the Peach Arch News - read their match report here.

Rowers continue their winning ways

Teams remain undefeated after two major tests--

VRC Nation

The Rowing Club came out on top in two pivotal battles for first place March 10 as both the 1sts and 2nds squads downed their Bayside counterparts out in White Rock. With the wins, both teams take sole possession of first place in their respective leagues. It was a different story for the thirds, as they fell to Abbotsford in a difficult match out in the Fraser Valley.

1sts

The Rowers’ top side started their tilt with the undefeated Bayside Sharks rather sluggishly in the first half, playing on the back foot for forty minutes. The Rowers allowed a strong, experienced Bayside team to take the game to them and Bayside held a 9-point lead after 40 minutes.

Undaunted, the Mighty-Firsts increased their pace in the second half by starting strong and building on that momentum. The team supported each other well at the breakdowns and in open field play. Their tough, unrelenting energy put the squad in a position to win and, with only seconds left, Matty James slotted a penalty goal to give the Rowers a 37-35 victory. James scored 17 points in the contest. Duncan James, Karl Mudzamba and Gareth Brown also played strong games.

The firsts are now alone in top spot with 24 points, while Bayside (securing two bonus points in the loss) fall to second place with 22 points. The rematch, slated for March 24 at the Oval, looks like it could be one of the best matches of the year.

2nds

The Super-Twos also hold down first place in their division after beating another previously undefeated Bayside squad 22-5.

The 2nds started their match strong by playing hard defense and rucking well. The Rowers also kept their turnover count to a minimum. This frustrated the hosts early on, allowing the 2nds to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

Standout flanker Maverick Seed played exceptionally well, especially in lineout play where his squad was near perfect on both sides of the ball. The Rowers were near perfect on defense too, as Bayside were only able to score one try.

With the win, the Super-Twos remain undefeated and are alone in first place with 20 points while Bayside fall to second place with 15 points. The rematch is also March 24 at Brockton.

3rds

It was a different story for the Thirsty-Thirds March 10 as they fell to Abbotsford 29-5. In a game that can only be described as “short,” the Rowers played fairly well for having fewer players on the pitch than Abby.

Attilio Mastrota

After starting the game with 14 men, the squad only allowed one try early in the game and even managed to claw back some points when Attilio Mastrota scored his first every rugby try. (Yes, he shot the boot after at the Abby clubhouse.) At the end of the first half, Abbotsford led two tries to one.

As the second half started, the Thirsty-Thirds lost another man and competed rather well with 13 players. The squad then fell to 12 men for about 10 minutes when Jamie Overgaard went off for orbital repair work halfway through the second frame.

As the game wore on, it was apparent the Rowers weren’t going to claw back any more points and the game ended after Abbotsford ran in two more tries.

Travis Sheppard

Travis Sheppard and Justin Glen both had strong games and made some outstanding tackles.

All three squads face Richmond March 17 at King George Park.

--with files from Braden Maccke.

VRC Nation: Road warrior weekend

Battle of the unbeatens (times 2) --

This weekend is shaping up to be one of the most important ones of the spring rugby season for the VRC. All three teams are in action in road games that might mark pivotal moments for each squad.

While the undefeated first and seconds both battle similarly undefeated teams in games that may foreshadow provincial championship match-ups, the thirds play in a vital match that could determine whether they make the playoffs or not.

1st div
The Mighty-Firsts hit the ground at South Surrey Athletic Park at 2:30 p.m. as they face off against the league leading Bayside Sharks. Both teams are undefeated at 4-0, but the Sharks hold down first place by virtue of one bonus point.

2nd div
The Super-Twos also face Bayside in another battle of the unbeatens. Both squads are 3-0 with 15 points each, but the Rowers are sitting first in the log based on point differential. So far, the Super-Twos have 178 points for and only 10 against, while the Sharks second div squad have 178 points for, with 25 against. Kick-off is at 1 p.m.

3rd div
The Thirsty-Thirds battle it out against Abbotsford at CFV Exhibition Park. Kick-off is at 1 p.m. The Rowers will be looking for some revenge after a tough loss out at Abby in the fall season. Both teams have .500 records. A Rowers' win could propel the squad into third place in the log.

Come out and support the boys. If White Rock and Abby seem too far away, next week the whole club plays Richmond Rugby Football Club at King George Park.

VRC Nation honours its own

Tim Shaddick receives lifetime achievement award--

Tim Shaddick with his lifetime
achievement award.

The VRC Nation came together to honour an outstanding individual at the annual Captain's Dinner March 3.

More than 140 Rowers, both alumni and current players, ventured down to the VRC clubhouse on Coal Harbour for the annual event. The night included a "state of the union" address from chairman Richard Bice, a keynote speech from former Canada player Mike James, and the (in)famous rookie gravy chugging race.

But most importantly, they came to honour Tim "Tootall" Shaddick, a long-time Rower who first started playing for the club in September of 1970. Shaddick received the first ever VRC Rugby Lifetime Achievement Award.



Known for his generosity and big heart, Shaddick has done a lot over the years to pass on the Rowers' tradition, temperament, and team culture to every player donning the Rower hoops.

The club also gave Tootall a book comprised of photos from his lengthy days as a rugger, as well as his days as a coach and supporter. There was also a video with interviews, which can be seen here.

Rowers win two out of three at Brockton

Rowers power out two wins over Seattle, but lose to Burnaby 'A'--

Aaron "Sushi" Collard dives in for a Rowers' try in the 2nd
division match against Seattle March 3 at Brockton Oval.

(Photos by Malin Jordan)

The Vancouver Rowing Club continued its winning ways March 3 by taking two out of three wins at the Oval.

The first and second division teams outpaced a slower Seattle Rugby Football Club, while the thirds came up short in a tough match against Burnaby 'A.'


1sts
The Mighty Firsts remain undefeated after running over Seattle 56-10. The win pushes the squad up to 4-0 and sees them comfortably in second place with 19 points. The Rowers are one point behind the first place Bayside Sharks and 11 points up on third place Cowichan.

2nds
The Super-Twos pulled off an almost identical win over Seattle, beating them 55-10. Aaron "Sushi" Collard led the scoring parade after he took an effortless off-load from Si D'Agrosa at the Seattle 22-metre line and powered over the line for 5 points. The win elevates the seconds into first place overall.

3rds
It was the tale of two halves for the Thirsty-Thirds as they lost a hard-fought tilt to Burnaby's 'A' team, 22-12.

Burnaby started quickly and stayed strong throughout the first half as the Rowers hemorrhaged turnovers in seemingly every ruck. Capitalizing on those gifts, Burnaby Lake ran in three first half tries.

In the second half, the Thirsty-Thirds kept the game close after shutting down Burnaby's forward pack around the breakdowns, limiting the amount of turnovers in those breakdowns, and sorting out some of the problems surrounding missed tackles. With the loss, the thirds drop to 1-1.

Steve MacGillivray is stopped as two Burnaby tacklers swoop in.

Chris Gaydon passes the ball to Simon Taylor during the 3rds' loss to
Burnaby 'A' at Brockton Oval.

VRC Nation - games on at Brockton

Rowers' Round-up for March 2--

Three big games are on tap for the Rowers March 3 at Brockton Oval as Seattle and Burnaby both make the trek to Stanley Park.

The Thirsty-Thirds put their 1-0 record on the line as they battle Burnaby 'A' in third div. The Burnaby squad is 4-0 and averaging 34 points a game. Kick-off is at 11:30 a.m.

In the second division, the Super-Twos play their match against the Seattle Rugby Football Club at 1 p.m. Seattle is holding down fourth spot in the log while the Super-Twos are in first place.

In the first division tilt, the VRC, undefeated at 3-0 and sitting second in the table with 14 points, face-off against the third place Seattle RFC. Kick-off is at 2:30.

All citizens of the VRC Nation are invited out to Brockton Oval for a great day of rugby.