Rowers capture first premiership win

VRC win two from two over Meralomas--

By Braden Maccke
Photos: Travis Sheppard

Scrum-half Henry Recinos digs out a ball at the back a ruck during the premier side's 12-8 win over
the Meraloma Club Oct. 19. It was the squad's first win of the season in B.C.'s CDI Premiership.

The Vancouver Rowing Club garnered their first win of the season in the CDI Premiership after downing the Meralomas 12-8 at Connaught Park Oct. 19. The Rowers also seized a win in the 1st division Ceili's Cup League, bettering the Meralomas 48-5. The Rowers 3rd division side lost a close match to the Scribes 13-7.

3RD DIVISION

The 3rds dropped a tight match to the Scribes at Trout Lake, losing 13-7. In the early match (kick off was moved back to 10 a.m. to accommodate players heading to Langford for the Canada "A" vs. Argentina Jaguars game) the Rowers failed to find their stride and many bounces didn't go their way. The Scribes fought hard and played their way to a well-deserved win.

Coach Kelly Egilsson told the squad after the game, "Now that we know the standard necessary for success, let's keep the momentum going this week and carry it through to next Saturday."

First division action.

1ST DIVISION

The Rowing Club First Division got off to a rocky start against the Meralomas in their match. A lack of discipline led to several avoidable penalties, putting the visiting Rowing Club on the back foot early. The Rowing Club got their first solid possession after a missed Meraloma penalty attempt, and immediately went to work on offense.

Some initially messy play was cleaned up as Billy Newman scored what would be his first of two tries on the day. Fly-half Richie Thompson, playing a characteristically outstanding game, added a try and scrum half Darren Harris hit both conversions -- later adding a penalty kick to put the Rowers up 22-0 at the half.

Hooker Aaron “Sushi” Collard took control of the ball behind a well-formed maul from an early second-half line-out and rambled in, putting the Rowers up 29-0. Later, Centre Nik Samaja, fullback Alex Ackerley and winger Ryan Messer added tries for the VRC. A strong Rowers defense kept the Meralomas out of the in-goal area until the very last play of the game.

Harris hit 5 of 7 conversions for a final score of 48-5.

Premier division action.

PREMIER DIVISION

The Rowers top tier had a tough time trying to handle a very quick, very tough, Meralomas premier division side. The 'Lomas scored first, going up 5-0 when they were able to create a two-man overlap in the corner. Undaunted, the visitors relied on strong play by the pack and short runs off picks to move the ball in increments. As they continued to keep possession, hooker Chris Seyler was able to add a game-tying try. The Rowers added the convert to take a 7- 5 lead on the foot of Doug Crowe. The lead was short lived, however, as the home-fifteen soon notched a penalty to go ahead 8-7.

After an extended period of back-and-forth play, characterized by hard tackles on both sides (notably by Rowers standout 8th man George Richmond), fullback Kevin Gurniak was able to find enough space to put one in the in-goal area. The conversion failed, leaving the Rowers ahead 12-8.

As the game clock wound down, the Meralomas threatened, swinging the ball wide out of a ruck and sending a two-man overlap streaking down the far wing. Tighthead prop Jake Chawhan ran a corner-flag route to the ball carrier, making an impressive and difficult cover tackle -- uncharacteristic of a big man.

But the 'Lomas were able to retain possession and advance it to the goal line as (later confirmed by the referee) all time had ticked off the clock. As the Rowers dug in for a tough defensive stand in the shadow of their own sticks, the Meralomas pressed on. Captain Phil Hosie and outside center Matt Doyle were each shown yellow cards with time expired as the 'Lomas continued to press. Finally, down to 13 men, the VRC were able to recover the ball and the game ended 12-8 in one of the more exciting finishes in recent memory.

Following the game, Coach Jeremy Sabell spoke very genuinely to an exhausted premier side about “heart,” how it’s something that just cannot be coached, and that the side had displayed it as well as he could have ever imagined.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this post erroneously reported lock Justin Parlato as the recipient of a yellow card during the final goal-line defensive stand for the Rowers. The card was shown to center-back Matt Doyle. The Ruck Muck regrets the error.

OCTOBER 26

The Rowers take on their arch-rivals Capilano RFC in all three divisions Oct. 26 at Klahanie Park. Kick-off times are:

3rds – 11:30 a.m.

1sts – 1:00 p.m.

Premiers – 2:45 p.m.

More pictures from Connaught:

Rowers take two from three

VRC hosts Crusaders and Ravens
Photos: Malin Jordan


Jamie Overgaard breaks for the ball in first half action versus Chilliwack Oct. 5.

BROCKTON OVAL – The Rowers won two from three Oct. 5 as the Club opened the CDI  Premiership at home against the UBCOB Ravens. In the curtain-raiser the Thirsty Thirds downed the Chilliwack Crusaders, the 1sts shut down the Ravens, and the premier side fell to the Ravens.

3RDS
The thirds sprinted out of the gate taking the game to the Crusaders almost immediately. The Rowers punched in a couple of quick tries off solid forward play and some stand-up "D" from the backline kept the Fraser Valley squad off the scoreboard early in the first half.

As the second half opened, the thirds continued their dominant play. Shortly after kickoff, Shaun Blythen took the ball into contact inside the Rowers' 10-meter line. Blythen then made a seemingly impossible pop to a streaking Jamie Overgaard who tap-danced down the sideline 60 metres for paydirt. The try seemed to seal Chilliwack's fate and the game was never in doubt after that. Final score: 60 to 10.

First division action.

First division action.

1sts.

1sts.

1STS

The VRC first division team looked evenly matched against their UBCOB Ravens counterparts early on despite conceding an early try and conversion to go down 7-0. But the squad fought on, battling back to cross the line twice as they went into the halftime frame up 14-7.

Fitness and execution ended up being the keys to a dominant 2nd half for the Rowing Club. Set pieces were near perfect, and the backs played on the front foot all day, outpacing their opposite numbers. The Rowing Club were dominant for the better part of the afternoon, only surrendering a try in the final minute for a final score of 55-14.

PREMIERS

The VRC's top side got a hard taste of their level-up into the province’s top division, being handed a 44-15 loss by the UBCOB Ravens. A talented and well-drilled Ravens side seemed to have the Rowers playing backwards throughout the first half. The Rowers backs were able to move the ball when they got some space, but could not put together a cohesive attack.

Coach Sabell used the lop-sided loss as an opportunity to impress upon his charges the “vital importance" of defence, and will no doubt be emphasising its importance in their coming clash with the Meralomas Oct. 19.

OCTOBER 19

10:00 a.m. 3rds @ Scribes (John Hendry Park – Trout Lake)

1:00 p.m. 1sts @ Meralomas (Connaught Park)

2:45 p.m. Premiers @ Meralomas (Connaught Park)

MORE PICTURES FROM OPENING DAY OF THE PREMIERSHIP

A thirds player breaks for the line to score one of the Rowers'
opening tries versus Chilliwack.

3rds.

3rds.

3rds.

Halftime.

Halftime.

Blythen imposes a straight are before offloading to Overgaard,
who subsequently sprinted 60 metres for the score (See
time lapse video below).

Rowers maul Bruins

Thirds roar to road win

Photos: Malin Jordan

Brett Russell scores a try to seal a 27-7 win for the Rowers over the Ridge Meadows Bruins Sept. 28.

MAPLE RIDGE -- Despite torrential rains, a lot of scrums, and some slippery play, the Vancouver Rowing Club ran out some great rugger Sept. 28 when they topped the Ridge Meadows Bruins. The thirds posted four tries to run away with a 27-7 road win at Telosky Stadium.

Jamie Overgaard crashes the Bruins' line in second half action.

The squad managed to out-race the Bruins to the breakdowns, arriving with better numbers and controlling most of the play in the mud and muck -- pounding out a well-deserved win in the trenches.

“They ground it out in the rain with what was essentially a kick and pressure game,” said coach Simon Taylor. “Balls squirted out of far too many tackles, but this was to be expected.”

Ryan Messer opened the scoring for the Rowers in the first half and Lendl Magsipoc added another tally before the break. At the end of 40, the Rowers took a two-try lead into halftime.

Shaun Blythen scores a try as Jamie Overgaard and Yooji Cummings provide support.

The Rowers kept the pressure on early in the second-half when their aggressive defense forced the Bruins to hurry an early clearing kick from deep in their own end. The errant effort gifted the Rowers a lineout near the Bruins 22-metre line. On the ensuing throw-in and drive, Shaun Blythen kept the ball tight to the back of the maul and rolled across the line for a try.

Jon Mergui lines up the Bruins' scrum-half before tackling him and causing a turnover.

The Bruins added a tally of their own later, but Brent Russell sealed the Rowing Club win when he smudged the green for five late in the second half.

Taylor said the thirds backline play was an essential key to the victory. “The guys got to work and exposed the opposition’s inability to react to the way we kept reversing our direction of attack.”

OCTOBER 5

The VRC is hosting Family Day tomorrow at Brockton Oval. Kick off times are:
11:30 a.m. 3rds vs. Chilliwack
1:00 p.m. 1sts vs. UBCOB
2:45 p.m. Premiers vs. UBCOB

MORE PICTURES FROM RIDGE MEADOWS

A lineout early in the second half.

Rolling maul - second half.

Mid-field play.

A well-deserved shiner.

Lendl Magsipoc.

Lendl Magsipoc.

Lendl Magsipoc.