Thirds Beat Caps, 11-8 at Brockton

The VRC third division played a strong game in wet weather to earn a home win on a last second kick for the second time in as many weeks. The thirds beat the Capilanos 11-8.
It started out a hard, wet third division rugby game, as both teams ran hard ball inside for incremental gains. Neither side established much of a rhythm, as wet conditions made for halted play, full of scrums and penalties.

The Capilanos were able to strike first, slotting a penalty kick in the 14th minute to make it 3-0. The Caps threatened again, but the Rowers D held up. Second row forward Kyle Katerenchuck laid down a few great tackles early on, as did halfback “Cain Sanchez,” who finished the day leading the team in tackles with five. The Rowers were able to hold off an important Caps attack at the goal line midway through the first half, hooker Brian Andrews making a key tackle and turnover to end the threat.
At 35 minutes, the VRC was finally able to answer, as centre Nathan Sussex found the end goal to make it 5-3 after a missed conversion. Sussex would finish the day with a try and a yellow card, an assist short of the “Patty O’Gorman Hat Trick”.
Despite being kept of of the score sheet on the day, loose head prop forward Lendl Magsipoc had a characteristically excellent day, gaining hard yards with ball in hand to put the Rowers in position and keep them on the front foot.
The Rowers continued playing hard rugby into the half, and were greeted by the same halted, whistle-heavy play that characterised the first half. Veteran Rowers fly half Darren Harris was able to slot a penalty kick in the 64th minute to tie the score at 8-8, putting it in off of the post. Harris would miss one that would have given the Rowers the lead with a minute left, but was granted a chance at redemption with time expiring.

With his two young daughters in attendance, for the second week in a row, “Dazzler” Darren Harris kicked a penalty with no time left on the clock to secure a Rowers Thirds win at home. Final score 11-8 Rowing Club.
The win makes for a 5-1 record on the year, and puts then thirds high in the mix in the BC Rugby Mainland 3rd division standings (Their actual position is not yet known, as final scores from other thirds fixtures are not available at press time. The BC Rugby Union website is the authority on standings.)
The Thirds play a road game against the Maralomas next Saturday, their final game of the first half.
Big thanks to sideline photographer by Sharon Thompson