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.