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.