Rowers corral MOB

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3rds down SFU, 1sts and premiers sink in Oak Bay

Photos: Malin Jordan

Steve MacGillivray passes from a breakdown in the Rowers’ 38-7 victory over SFU March 1.

STANLEY PARK—Despite missing the first four matches of the season, the Rowing Club’s third team shook off the cobwebs March 1 to race to a 38-7 win over SFU’s Mountain Old Boys. On the same day, both the first and premier sides lost their away matches to the Castaway Wanderers by respective scores of 24-17 and 44-5.

3RDS

After field and highway closures prevented the 3rds from taking the pitch in February, the squad still managed to play focused rugby in their opening match of the spring season. On the back of superlative play from Gareth “Matt Damon” Brown, and some aggressive work at the breakdowns, the Rowers jumped out to an early 14-0 lead over SFU. By halftime the team was up 21-0.

The Rowers swing the ball out during the first half versus SFU at Brockton
Oval March 1.

SFU battled back in the opening minutes of the second half and managed to cross the Rowers’ try line for 7. But the Thirsty Thirds took the play back down to the SFU end on the next kick off and played most of the rest of the half in SFU’s end. Though the visitors fought hard in the second frame, Brown sealed the Rowing Club victory when he punched in his third try of the day. Brown showcased his superior rugby knowledge on the scoring drive as he ran a perfect line cutting back against the pattern of play. The brilliant run allowed Brown to cruise across 15 metres of space, unscathed, for paydirt. The hat-trick try also helped the stalwart back-rower earn Man of the Match honours.

The 3rds face SFU again at Brockton Oval March 22 at 11:30 a.m.

1STS & PREMS

Both squads travelled to the Island to face the Oak Bay Castaway Wanderers in a rematch from a couple of weeks ago. Though both teams came up short, coach Jeremy Sabell said the guys played well at times, noting that more work has to be done.

Utility front-row forward Brooksy, on loan from Sunnybank,
Aus., undergoes a quick blood-patching before being sent back
out to the pitch. The indefatigable Aussie played both matches
against the CWs in Oak Bay. Photo submitted.

The Rowers had “good intensity to start,” he noted, but added that the average commitment throughout the matches weren’t high enough. “(Our) work ethic was reasonable in terms of getting up and back into place, getting to rucks etc., but commitment to the tackle was just not consistent enough overall. Handling was good and kicking was much improved from other games.”

All three sides are at Brockton Oval March 8.

March 8

11:30 a.m. 3rds vs. Capilano ‘A’ (Brockton Oval)
1 p.m. 1sts vs. Capilano RFC (Brockton Oval)
2:45 p.m. Premiers vs. Capilano RFC (Brockton Oval)
6:30 p.m. Captains’ Dinner