Recent Rowing Club highlights

Close games leave Rowers wanting

By Braden Maccke

Here are some results from recent matches:

Thirds at UBC

The Rowers came out of the Thanksgiving bye with energy and enthusiasm. They looked prepared and ready to face an equally young and fit UBC squad. Second row forward Bjorn Morris opened the scoring with a well earned try built from strong phase play. UBC was able to equalize by taking advantage of a fortunate bounce, leaving the sides even.

Young fly half Trevor Calin showed great speed and a knack for taking advantage of space in a 50-yard run to pay dirt, and slotted the conversion for good measure. A successful penalty kick by fullback Mike Santoro left the Rowers' 3rds and UBC tied 17-17 at the half.

Both teams defended well in the 2nd half. The thirds ran in to handling errors when opportunities for unobstructed advances showed up. Neither team was able to find the in-goal area nor the sticks as UBC and the 3rds finished tied at 17.

First Division at UBC

The Rowers Understudies had a tough go of it against UBC, ending up on the wrong side of a 60-21 score line. Fullback Cannaon Karena put in 2 tries and substitute fullback Jesse Yankee put in one of his own. Adrian Meaning was perfect on conversions.

The Firsts avenged the loss the following weekend against the Ravens at home. Standout Irish flanker Brendan Fagen led with three tries as Trevor Caton and Adrian Meining scoring one each. The first looked like a team doing everything right in a 40-12 home victory. They’ll look to keep that momentum going.

Premier Division at UBC

The Premier Division was on the wrong end of a 34 – 27 loss away at UBC. The Prems trailed early, took the lead towards the end, but lost it again as a strong UBC squad rose to the occasion on their home pitch.

Lachlan Campbell, Brian Duram, Kevin Gurniak, and Dennis Barnett all scored Rowing Club tries as fly half Henry Recinos slotted 2 conversions and one penalty. Pack leader Chris Seyler spent 10 minutes in the bin on a yellow card.

The following weekend, the Prems mounted a poor showing against the rival UBCOB Ravens at Brockton, scoring only a penalty kick in a 34-3 loss. A feeling of determination has taken over the Prems training pitch and video room, as they try to right the ship.

Thirds vs. Kamloops at Brockton

The following week a 3rds pack thinned by injuries was clearly out-sized as a large, capable Kelowna team scored early and never quit. Defense was poor and, as a consequence, possessions were few.

Handling errors pocked the Rowers attack, and they were never able to establish any momentum on either side of the ball. Veteran 2nd row forward Maverick Seed played a very strong game despite the unfavourable result. The thirds will try to improve from the 45-3 home drubbing in their next match.

November 8

11:30 3rds @ Surrey (Sullivan Heights)
1:00 1sts @ Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park)
2:45 Premiers @ Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park)