VRC Rugby: VRC drops matches to James Bay, Scribes

Rowers lose at home; visit Burnaby Lake April 5

Photos: Malin Jordan

Sam Seyler fights through a tackle March 29 against James Bay. Despite his team's best efforts,
the Rowers' first division side lost the match 30-17.

The Rowers faced the Scribes and James Bay March 29 as all three divisions took the pitch at Brockton Oval. Despite the teams turning out solid, hard-fought performances, all three squads came up short of victories.

3RDS

The Thirsty Thirds played a hard-nosed game against the Scribes, but lost 29-27. Prop-forward Hugo Bizzle played an outstanding first half as he stormed for metre after metre every time he touched the ball. Maverick Seed, Andy Donn, and Jamie Overgaard ran out blinders too, rucking like madmen to retain Rowing Club ball in every breakdown. Brian Andrews was sharp on his throw-ins and scrummaging.

In the backs, the two Steves, Gregorig and MacGillivray, produced clean ball for the backs and the likes of Yooji Cummings, Evan Hughes, Franco Scodeller, Nick Coles and Mike Santoro took those deliveries past the gain line on almost every carry.

Coach Kelly Egilsson was proud of the team after the game and thanked the squad for playing with a lot of heart.

1STS

The Rowing Club’s first division side also put up an outstanding performance. Despite the losing score line of 30-17, the squad was always in the game and had a chance to bring home the win. Forward Jon Mergui scored a great try when he raced down the pitch, out-pacing several defenders, before crashing over the line for the score. With the loss, James Bay wins the Ferguson Cup.

PREMIERS

The premier side lost to visiting James Bay 52-30, but the final score belies a much-closer game. The Rowing Club played well for most of the match kept the score close until the end.

Kevin “The Knack” Gurniak opened the scoring with a lighting-like kick-and-chase as he catapulted his frame down the field and pounced on the ball in the end zone for five points. The first half was a closely contested battle for the entire half. Just before the half-time bell, the Rowers took an unfortunate yellow card and James Bay converted that error into a quick seven points. At the half the score was 24-17 to James Bay.

As the second half opened, James Bay made the Rowers’ yellow card hurt even more when the Victoria squad quickly added another tally, pushing the score to 31-17. The Rowers battled for the rest of the half, but ultimately couldn’t answer James Bay’s later tallies. With the loss, James Bay retains the storied Cox Cup.

APRIL 5

All three squads play at Burnaby Lake April 5.
11:30 a.m. 3rds @ Burnaby (Burnaby Lake)
1 p.m. 1sts @ Burnaby (Burnaby Lake)
2:45 p.m. Premiers @ Burnaby (Burnaby Lake