Rowers sweep competition

All four teams run away with victories on Club Day
Photos: Malin Jordan

Duncan James chases down a kick in the in-goal area during the Rowers'
second division game against Langley Sept. 22. The seconds ran away
with the match 55-12.

The Vancouver Rowing Club steamed to victory at home Sept. 22 as the club posted four wins and swept the competition for their 2012-2013 home opener. It was also "Club Day" at Brockton and many alumni and their families and friends showed up to support the club.

Starting with the U-19s, and ending with a strong victory in the firsts, the wins complemented an already successful alumni celebration.

UNDER 19
The U-19 squad gave everyone a boost early in the day when they ran over Abbotsford 52-12 in the opening match.

"I was very happy with the U-19 performance," said club coach Jeremy Sabell. "But we know we have many areas to improve on and this coming weekend will be a big test versus Bayside.”

Sabell noted there are roughly 30 athletes in the program and the battles for starting spots each week offer a healthy internal competition. “It will ultimately help the performance on the field.”

THIRD DIVISION
The Thirsty Thirds were looking for a reversal of fortune against the Kelowna Crows after suffering heavily during their opening match of the season versus the Scribes. Kelowna managed to start strong, scoring two tries to go ahead early. But the 3rds’ tackling, ball retention, and backline play in the first half proved the squad was out to play.

Irish Richie almost loses his head as he dives in for a try against the
Kelowna Crows Sept. 22.

As the first half wore on, the 3rds managed to claw back some points after flanker Andy Donn notched two beautiful tries from set play. Brendan Flanagan also touched one down between the posts after running through several Kelowna defenders. At the end of the first half the Rowers were down 22-19.

In the second half the 3rds picked up the pace – led by the spry and functionally agile Patty O’Gorman – and the tourists couldn’t seem to keep up, despite some fantastic speed on the wing. Stu Holland and Irish Richie repeatedly led the charge into Kelowna’s end as the Rowers posted 5 tries in the half to the Crows 1. Final score: 44-27.

“Two tries after two years away!” exclaimed the thirds’ player/coach Jamie Overgaard. He was elated that Donn, after suffering through a terrible knee injury, played so well on his post-injury debut. Overgaard also noted that Irish Richie’s two tries on debut in the second half offered a great boost to the squad at key moments.

Stu Holland dives for a try against the Kelowna Crows.

Overgaard chalked up the win to a perfect combination of “youth and enthusiasm and old age and treachery.”

“The thirds were a pleasant surprise and it afforded opportunity for quite a few U-19 players to get more game time surrounded my more experienced players,” added Sabell.

SECOND DIVISION
The Super Twos picked up where they left off last week as they stormed to another victory, this time over Langley 55-12.

Rob McDonnell throws Conrad Lehane a miss pass in early 2nd division
action against the Langely club.

“The second division put out a comprehensive performance and again some young guns combined with more experienced players to put together a match that was fun to watch,” said Sabell.

“Young gun” Dillon Debono scored a nice try in the pavilion end of the pitch that seemed to solidified the seconds’ momentum. Shortly after that, Alex Ackerley ran 30 metres through – and around – several Langley defenders to touch one down between the posts, sealing the win.

Alex Ackerley straight arms a Langley defender before cruising
30 metres for a try.

FIRST DIVISION
The Rowers firsts trotted out for the final match of the day against a much bigger Langley side, but the Rowers held their own early against some solid tackling and rucking.

Graham “Hammy” Keane opened the game with some stalwart runs and later Tom Winter put the Rowers up with 20-metre romp for five points. In the second half, the Rowers traded momentum swings with Langley, but managed to keep them off the scoreboard for most of the half. The Rowers added two late tries to pull away from what had been an otherwise close match. Final score: 31-15.

“The first division was underwhelming,” noted Sabell after the game. “To their credit, Langley fielded a big, hard-working side who threw themselves into us with great energy.”

Sabell added that his squad struggled to find their rhythm in the game. “Nevertheless, we prevailed. We'll have to step up our efforts more than a couple of notches this weekend, though, as we face James Bay in the historic Cox and Ferguson Cups.”

SATURDAY, SEPT. 29
This weekend all four squads play at Brockton Oval:
10:00 – U-19 XV versus Bayside
11:30 – 3rd XV versus Surrey
13:00 – 2nd XV versus James Bay
14:30 – 1st XV versus James Bay

Tom Winter rambles for a try in the first division game.

Graham "Hammy" Keane bursts towards Langley's goal line.

The Rowers await a kick off.

Coach Sabell rallies his squad.

Weekend update with Matty James

Club Day set for tomorrow; alumni and families invited to the oval--

VRC member-at-large, Matty James.

Club Day at Brockton Oval is set for tomorrow and VRC member-at-large Matty James says it's going to be a great day.

James is encouraging all citizens of the VRC Nation to bring their family and friends down to Brockton Oval on Saturday "to support the club, to see the tremendous work the mini and age-grade coaches are doing, and to see the positive direction the club is going in."

The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with the U19's game and the third, second, and first grade teams all play afterward. (See below for a full schedule.)

Here's Matty's message from earlier this month:
Rowers Rugby would like to invite you to Club Day at Brockton Oval Saturday September 22nd. It’s a great opportunity to bring family & friends down to the famous Brockton Oval to enjoy a day of entertainment and to watch the future Rowers with the mini and age-grade sections providing entertainment with games during the half time of the first and second division games.

With lots of entertainment going on and off the field, there will be a bouncy castle to keep the children entertained and a licensed beer & wine garden for the adults to converse over old times or to welcome the new additions to the Rowers Family. Calabria meat’s will provide a Roast pig for the post match meals at the clubhouse and also for the BBQ at the field for everyone to enjoy.

We all hope you can make it out to Brockton Oval to show your support for the rugby club and lots of encouragement for the mini’s and age grade at the half time games, the club has been good to everyone over the years so let’s make CLUB DAY a tradition also a great introduction to the new members the proud history of the Rowers Rugby.

Saturday, Sept. 22
10:00 - U19s versus Abbotsford
12:00 - 3rd XV versus Kelowna
13:30 - 2nd XV versus Langley
14:10 - Half-time entertainment: Rowers mini rugby game
15:00 - 1st XV versus Langley
15:40 - Half-time entertainment: Rowers mini rugby game
16:30 - Post-match festivities at VRC clubhouse on Coal Harbour

Entertainment
Bouncy castle, face painting, music, beer garden

BBQ
Hot dogs, burgers, pig roast provided by Calabria Meats

"Everyone from the Rowers are looking forward to seeing our old and new members at Brockton," added James. "Wear red and white!"

VRC Nation: founded in 1886.

Images reveal fire damage

Here are some shots of the fire damage from Sept. 19--

Rowers open with two wins, loss; fire destroys part of change rooms

First squad overcomes adversity to claim victory—

Carlin Wilkin makes a pass during a game against Bayside in this
Ruck-Muck file photo from last year. Wilkin was a standout in the
recent 1st team victory over United Sept. 15, earning the coveted
Hammer Award. Michael Jordan (right) earned a red card 10 minutes
into the game, but the squad still managed a 34-20 win.

The Vancouver Rowing Club started the 2012-2013 season with two solid wins in the 1s and 2s, while suffering a solid defeat in the 3s. The first and seconds beat the United Rugby Club at United’s Hume Park ground Sept. 15, while the Scribes beat the thirds quite handily at Trout Lake Park.

3RDS
It was a tale of two halves for the Thirsty Thirds as they opened their season against the Scribes. After starting well and putting up some solid defence, it was clear, early, that it would be a long game for the less-fit Rowing Club.

As the first half wore on and the squads battled back and forth, the Scribes finally managed to punch through the Rowers defensive line. Scrambling for some long runs for tries, the Rowers were helpless in defence as they offered up missed tackle after missed tackle. The Rowers also struggled terribly with set play, gifting the ball (and on one occasion a try) to the Scribes off lineouts and scrums. The East Van club continued to pound the ball up the middle and hammered away at the Rowers forwards and, after a few more tries, the first half ended with the Rowers down 24-0.

The second half opened up the same way with some running play and stand up tackles. But the Rowers managed to hold their own. After shaking off some of the rust, the squad managed to sort out some lineouts and scrum play and also improved on their tackling.

The Rowers also successfully defended a yellow card (earned by Travis Sheppard after he entered the side of ruck) and managed to hold the Scribes to only seven points in the half. Final score: 31-0.

2NDS
The Super Twos opened the season with a gusty 30-19 win over United. The hard fought win was secured after a few U19’s took the field late, bolstering the ranks and provided some energy to finish off the win.

“The seconds played a hard game, mostly in the pack,” noted front-row Braden Maccke. “We staged an important goal-line stand in the second half, eventually forcing a turnover that we kicked away.”

1STS
The first division squad was forced to overcome some early adversity in their win as the squad played one man short for 70 minutes after Michael Jordan earned a red card ten minutes into the match.

“I’m extremely proud of the efforts today,” said head coach Jeremy Sabell. He described the play of the first team as “heroic.”

Despite playing short, the Rowers played with heart and intensity, claiming a 34-20 victory over last year’s Province League 1 provincial champs.

Steve Craig set the pace by running in two tries while Carlin “Chuck" Wilkin laid down thunderous hits in the second half. Wilkin’s grit earned the lad from Deep Cove the coveted Hammer. (The Hammer is awarded to the player on the 1st div squad who delivers the hardest hit.) Captain Justin Wong also pounded out a gritty performance, playing through an intense shoulder injury to hold the game together for the top side.

Sabell noted the First XV never gave up for the last 70 minutes of the match. After the game the coach told his squads to build on the momentum of the two wins in preparation for the Langley Club Sept. 22.

FIRE AT BROCKTON OVAL & WEEKEND MATCHES
The First and Seconds face Langley at Brockton Oval this weekend while the Thirds face Kelowna. Saturday is also Club Day at the Oval and the Rowers are encouraging all players and alumni to bring their families and friends down for the day.

Club Day is still on despite the recent fire at the Brockton Oval changing rooms and grandstand. Though some events may be altered, there is still a host of activities planned for everyone.

Watch this space for more photos of the fire damage.

Changing rooms - viewed from the pitch.

Changing rooms - viewed from the pathway.

Rowers achieve success on Vancouver Island

New season begins this weekend

Caleb Hansen runs past Velox's Allen Hall in exhibition play Sept. 8 on
Vancouver Island. Photo Credit: ©Judy Teasdale Photography.

After a successful day in Victoria Sept. 8, the Vancouver Rowing Club is looking to start strong this weekend as the club heads into the first round of play in the Okanagan Spring Brewery League for the 2012-2013 regular season.

On Sept. 8, the Rowers competed in Victoria against the Velox Club in an exhibition round of three games. The Rowers played well, implementing some new formations off set play and experimenting with new players rotating into various positions.

In the matches, the U-19s dominated their game, coming away with a 48-10 win; the second team played a gutsy match, overcoming a strong Velox side 34-31; and the first team lost by a wide margin, 34-3.

Despite the lopsided score line in the last match of the day, team coach Jeremy Sabell said the weekend was a huge success as many young players punched above their weight and gained invaluable experience running in the higher grades.

This weekend all three squads are away to open the season as the thirds face the Scribes at Trout Lake and the firsts and seconds play the United Rugby Club at Hume Park in New Westminster.

For more photos from the exhibition match, see Judy Teasdale Photography.