Rowers visit Burnaby

Thirds win on road; premiers and firsts round out pre-season—

By Braden Maccke


The Rowers travelled east Sept. 20 to visit the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club. The thirds picked up a win, while the first and premier sides dropped their final matches of the Mainland Cup preseason tourney.

Denis Barnett outpaces Burnaby Lake defenders en route to a 50-plus metre run
for a try Sept. 20.

Barnett touches the ball down for 5 points after a 50-plus metre run Sept. 20. The
Rowing Club's third div squad won the march 40-5.

3RDS

The Vancouver Rowing Club’s third division earned a convincing 40-5 victory over Burnaby Lake Sept. 20. The Thirds’ young core made use of their rapidly growing rugby knowledge, and considerable fitness, to best an experienced Burnaby Lake squad for one of the high points of the Rowers’ matches that day.

The thirds move to 1-1 with the win, good for 4th place in the Mainland 3rd div behind the Kats, Scribes, and UBC (all 2-0). The thirds have posted a respectable +33 point differential, which they’ll take to Kelowna Sept. 27.

1STS

The first division came up short in a 36-17 preseason loss to Burnaby Lake. This tune up, the understudies’ second loss of the pre-season, will have the firsts looking hard at improving their defense. The squad is getting steadily better. They are no doubt looking forward to a rematch with Burnaby to open the season at Brockton Oval Oct 4.

PREMIERS

The Rowing Club’s premier squad fell 36-24 in a well-contested match away at Burnaby. The top side’s fitness impressed, and their pattern looked like a functional working model destined for improvement the more it is run.

The premiers defended well and controlled the ball with efficiency at times. Burnaby has a very large and physical squad and the Rowers will have two weeks to make adjustments before their rematch Oct. 4 at Brockton.

Sept. 27

3rds @ Kelowna
1sts and premiers - Bye Week

Oct. 4

11:30 3rds vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)
1:00 1sts vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)
2:45 Premiers vs. Burnaby (Brockton Oval)

Fight Night 6 Preview

Fight Night 6 Preview

The Ruck Muck is getting excited for the club’s annual amateur boxing fundraiser, Fight Night 6. Here are some matchup previews with more to come as we get closer to Fight Night. Tickets are going quick, so book your spot at rowersfightnight.com!

Seyler vs. Kaye

Chris Seyler is a stalwart of the Rowers Premier side. The 2013 MVP is known for his work ethic, leadership and toughness. The hooker’s impact and determination is legendary. Seyler doesn’t get out-muscled, out-lifted or ever rattled. He was among the first players to answer a call for fighters and, predictably, Sportdsesk Promotions had trouble finding a willing opponent.

Brandon Kaye doesn’t appear to be intimidated by The White Kimbo. He’s giving up some weight, but has a clear reach advantage and will no doubt rely on his athleticism. Kaye has risen quickly through the divisions since joining the VRC last year. The quiet lock has used his speed, conditioning and talent to gain an understanding of the game uncommon to 2^nd year players. The former baseball star and and current Better Bodies personal trainer has dedicated himself to his pre-fight training and will doubtlessly bring a tactical, high energy approach into the ring September 12^th.

Expect an entertaining fight from this pair. Both fighters are well-conditioned and tenacious, so they’ll be punching through the final bell.

Dignan vs. Parlato

Lock It Up Productions own Italian Stallion Justin Parlato took a hands-on approach to filling the fight card for FN6, putting his hand up to be ½ of the evening’s heavyweight throw down. The big 2^nd row buriser has never been the type of player to shy away from contact, and may be the only rower with the physical and mental ability to stand in against Dignan.

Sean ‘The Irish Giant’ Dignan is the largest Rower in any division. His combination of size and natural athletic ability is rare, and his height and reach complement his latest adventure as a heavyweight fighter. Reports out of the Dignan training camp are optimistic. Dignan is known for compulsively sticking up for teammates, so we’re looking forward to seeing if that aggression can be controlled and focused for long enough to get him to decision time against Parlato.

With both fighters over 6' tall and weighing in north of 230 lbs, this has the potential to be a heavyweight tilt for the ages.