Rowers fall to Oak Bay

Castaway Wanderers take two at Brockton--

By Braden Maccke

Duncan James dives across the goal line for a try in action versus Oak Bay Feb. 15.

STANLEY PARK--The Rowers faltered out of the gate to open the second half of the 2013-2014 CDI Premiership campaign. Both the premier and 1st division teams dropped their opening matches at home to the Castaway Wanderers Feb. 15.

FIRST DIVISION
On a wet day at Brockton Point, the Castaway Wanderers 1st division team played strong rugby and took advantage of the chances they were afforded, earning themselves a 12-0 victory over the Rowing Club.

The Rowers played a sloppy first half, conceding a try to the visitors in the tenth minute. Then the Rowers bungled a standard kick and chase play from Oak Bay, allowing the Island squad to add another marker.

The VRC’s team defense showed flashes of competence, but was far from complete. They allowed the Wanderers to gallop for line breaks on some pedestrian attacks from their very strong scrums. The first div squad will need to work hard on set pieces in the coming weeks.

The Rowers also lacked team discipline, drawing two yellow cards and more than one stern warning from the referee.

Veteran lock Marcus Schapper-Kotter had an outstanding game. He defended well and held up, what would have been, a third try for the visitors.

The Rowers attack the Castaway Wanderers line.

PREMIER DIVISION
The visiting Castaway Wanderers notched an exciting victory over the Rowers’ premier side with a last-second penalty kick. The three-point volley sealed a slow game that had morphed into a hotly contested match, despite the day’s inclemency.

The home team conceded an early try as Oak Bay attacked off of a driving maul, using their forward pack as a medieval battering ram. The Rowers answered with a penalty kick, but conceded the line again for a halftime score of 15-3.

The Rowers worked hard in the second half on the basics – keeping the ball in hand to limit the turnovers on a wet day. Tries by fullback Duncan James and speedy winger Kevin Gurniak put the Rowers back in the game. Halfback Darren Harris added a penalty and a conversion to pull the Rowers even at 15. But an offside call, as the clock ticked over to full time, gave Oak Bay a final penalty attempt. Slotting the gift, the Castaway Wanderers walked off the pitch 18-15 winners.

Despite two losses, the club played some good rugby. Both teams host ‘Lomas at Brockton Feb. 22.