Rowers Reserves beat James Bay 33-15 at Home

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The VRC Premier reserves delivered a solid win a Brockton this past Saturday, coming from behind to beat the visiting James Bay Prem Reserve side 33-15.

The understudies scored two tries in the first half. First with hard phase play that created an overlap on the wing, where “Gentleman” Jim Corbet was waiting to find the corner of the end goal, and another when scrum half Kevin Foyle took advantage of a penalty at the ruck to score on quick ball.

“Topknot” Shane-O, demonstrating an ability to hold onto the ball in contact.
Possession was key to the Rowers victory Saturday.

James Bay’s offense kept up, though, putting up 15 points of their own to make it 15-12 at the half.

Both sides played hard, physical rugby for the first 15 minutes of the second half, and the Rowing club’s ability to keep their shape through it all ended up being the difference. Rowers centre Taurean Sheehan borke a tackle to make yards into the James Bay end, drawing the defender before moving the ball wide to veteran VRC flanker Skylar “The Salmon Arm Charm” Dumas, who ran his support line into the end goal to give the Rowers a 17-15 lead in the 56th minute, from which they wouldn’t look back.

Hard D kept the visitors from scoring again, and the Rowers found ways to make yards with ball in hand. Halfback Oisin Daly found his fullback on an inside switch or a long run that set up an opportunity for the forward pack to pick and carry from the base of the ruck for the last 10 yards or so until porp forward “Redbeard” Jake Schwartz found the end goal and made it 24-15.

The pack had an exceptional day, controlling the breakdowns, winning all of their own scrums and some of their opponents’, and competing very well in the lineouts.

Pride of Nelson, BC Maverick Seed winning a lineout for the Rowing Club.

Daly would add three more penalty kicks, capitalizing on a disciplined Rowers attack’s ability to frustrate the James Bay defense into committing penalties at the breakdown.

With the game already well in hand, Rowers utility forward Justin Lalli, a standout in the thirds game earlier in the day, had a long carry into space that resulted in no points, but that he insisted be included in this match report.

The win puts the Reserves’ record 5-6. They play next Saturday away at Burnaby Lake.