Rowers take two from three

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VRC hosts Crusaders and Ravens
Photos: Malin Jordan

Jamie Overgaard breaks for the ball in first half action versus Chilliwack Oct. 5.

BROCKTON OVAL – The Rowers won two from three Oct. 5 as the Club opened the CDI Premiership at home against the UBCOB Ravens. In the curtain-raiser the Thirsty Thirds downed the Chilliwack Crusaders, the 1sts shut down the Ravens, and the premier side fell to the Ravens.

3RDS
The thirds sprinted out of the gate taking the game to the Crusaders almost immediately. The Rowers punched in a couple of quick tries off solid forward play and some stand-up “D” from the backline kept the Fraser Valley squad off the scoreboard early in the first half.

As the second half opened, the thirds continued their dominant play. Shortly after kickoff, Shaun Blythen took the ball into contact inside the Rowers’ 10-meter line. Blythen then made a seemingly impossible pop to a streaking Jamie Overgaard who tap-danced down the sideline 60 metres for paydirt. The try seemed to seal Chilliwack’s fate and the game was never in doubt after that. Final score: 60 to 10.

First division action.

1sts.

1STS

The VRC first division team looked evenly matched against their UBCOB Ravens counterparts early on despite conceding an early try and conversion to go down 7-0. But the squad fought on, battling back to cross the line twice as they went into the halftime frame up 14-7.

Fitness and execution ended up being the keys to a dominant 2nd half for the Rowing Club. Set pieces were near perfect, and the backs played on the front foot all day, outpacing their opposite numbers. The Rowing Club were dominant for the better part of the afternoon, only surrendering a try in the final minute for a final score of 55-14.

PREMIERS

The VRC’s top side got a hard taste of their level-up into the province’s top division, being handed a 44-15 loss by the UBCOB Ravens. A talented and well-drilled Ravens side seemed to have the Rowers playing backwards throughout the first half. The Rowers backs were able to move the ball when they got some space, but could not put together a cohesive attack.

Coach Sabell used the lop-sided loss as an opportunity to impress upon his charges the “vital importance” of defence, and will no doubt be emphasising its importance in their coming clash with the Meralomas Oct. 19.

OCTOBER 19

10:00 a.m. 3rds @ Scribes (John Hendry Park – Trout Lake)

1:00 p.m. 1sts @ Meralomas (Connaught Park)

2:45 p.m. Premiers @ Meralomas (Connaught Park)

MORE PICTURES FROM OPENING DAY OF THE PREMIERSHIP