2nds Wins To Finish Reg Season, Beat Bayside on the Road

The VRC 2nd division put themselves back in the win column in their final game of the season Saturday with a well-earned 24-17 victory away at Bayside.
Despite conceding an early 10-0 lead to the hosts in the first ten minutes, the 2nds remained confident, playing the type of phase-centred offensive rugby that they are well capable of, but have only been able to put together in fits and starts.

That strong, patient phase play first paid off in the 17th minute as fly half Oisin Daly found the end goal running a strong line from about five yards out, capitalising on a position established by a ten yard rumble by tight head prop and in-demand haberdasher Gus “The Bus” Crowe.
Both sides defended well early on, made good kicking decisions and were able to control their own set pieces. The Rowers scrum was noticeably stronger, stealing one set in the first half and narrowly missing out on several others by virtue of precision striking by the Bayside hooker.
The hosts were able to add to their halftime lead in the 44th minute, making it 17-7 after finding a dogleg in a Rowers’ defense that was otherwise strong all day.
Tommy “Stardust” Windows led the 2nd div in tackles with 8, many for a loss, narrowly beating Connor Hines who finished with 7 tackles in a characteristically hard nosed and clean game. Hines received no red or yellow cards on Saturday.
Daly scored his second try of the day in the 60th minute, finally finding some space along the outside and attacking it with speed, then scored another in the 69th minute, to put an exclamation point on a sustained VRC goal line attack that finally wore down the hosts’ D. Daly also kicked all 3 conversions, and added a penalty kick in the 75th minute to account for all 24 VRC points on the day and finish off the 2nd div victory.
Daly was selected as man of the match in the backs, and loosehead prop Justin Parlato represented the forwards.
The mood and the confidence of the VRC 2nds was much improved after having played the type of rugby that they expect of themselves. The back to back losses that led in to the Bayside game weren’t bothering the club as much as the fact that, despite a winning record, nobody could remember the last time the 2s had put together methodical pattern and simple, aggressive D. Showing themselves and each other that it was still there was all the club really wanted to close out the regular season.

The VRC Super 2s focus is currently on the home playoff game against the Britt Lions this coming Saturday.
The Lions finished the season 9-9. They last played the Rowers March 3 at Brockton, losing to the Rowers 46-19.
The VRC 2nd Div 1st round playoff game is March 21 at Brockton Oval. 12:45 kickoff.