VRC win two from two over Meralomas–
Photos: Travis Sheppard
Scrum-half Henry Recinos digs out a ball at the back a ruck during the premier side’s 12-8 win over the Meraloma Club Oct. 19. It was the squad’s first win of the season in B.C.’s CDI Premiership. |
3RD DIVISION
Coach Kelly Egilsson told the squad after the game, “Now that we know the standard necessary for success, let’s keep the momentum going this week and carry it through to next Saturday.”
First division action. |
1ST DIVISION
Hooker Aaron “Sushi” Collard took control of the ball behind a well-formed maul from an early second-half line-out and rambled in, putting the Rowers up 29-0. Later, Centre Nik Samaja, fullback Alex Ackerley and winger Ryan Messer added tries for the VRC. A strong Rowers defense kept the Meralomas out of the in-goal area until the very last play of the game.
Harris hit 5 of 7 conversions for a final score of 48-5.
After an extended period of back-and-forth play, characterized by hard tackles on both sides (notably by Rowers standout 8th man George Richmond), fullback Kevin Gurniak was able to find enough space to put one in the in-goal area. The conversion failed, leaving the Rowers ahead 12-8.
As the game clock wound down, the Meralomas threatened, swinging the ball wide out of a ruck and sending a two-man overlap streaking down the far wing. Tighthead prop Jake Chawhan ran a corner-flag route to the ball carrier, making an impressive and difficult cover tackle — uncharacteristic of a big man.
But the ‘Lomas were able to retain possession and advance it to the goal line as (later confirmed by the referee) all time had ticked off the clock. As the Rowers dug in for a tough defensive stand in the shadow of their own sticks, the Meralomas pressed on. Captain Phil Hosie and outside center Matt Doyle were each shown yellow cards with time expired as the ‘Lomas continued to press. Finally, down to 13 men, the VRC were able to recover the ball and the game ended 12-8 in one of the more exciting finishes in recent memory.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post erroneously reported lock Justin Parlato as the recipient of a yellow card during the final goal-line defensive stand for the Rowers. The card was shown to center-back Matt Doyle. The Ruck Muck regrets the error.