News and Press Releases

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and best wishes for the upcoming new year and decade!

 

OVER/UNDER GAME 2010

 

The best turnout we have had in the years I have been involved with Cowichan Rugby!  A total of 49 players came out and played in pretty good conditions for rugby - 24 players for the Over-30 side and 26 players for the Under-30 side.  Super stuff!  The Overs ended up winning the game through cunning and deft performances by the wily old veterans who were seen supplying both referees with numerous beverages after the game.  Typically the oldsters were crafty in their game plan which was to lure the lightening fast youngsters into a slow game which proved fatal for the fleet of foot.  The real score was 27-22.  

 

Great to see some of our great young talent back out whether for a holiday visit or to stay!  Several of the coaches and fans alike were lathering at the sometimes backline for the youngsters that included the Geach brothers (Kyle and Trevor- Vancouver and London Eng.), Carlin Hamstra (Heidelberg, Germany) Tye Hamblin (back from Ireland to stay), Pat Fraser and the "Gaard" Matt Melgaard reaping havoc.  The Ladysmith connection was front and center once again in green and black with the likes of John Dubiel, Casey Cavers, Hamblin and others.  The Bobbsies have matured into credible players (Colin and Michael Smith out of Frances Kelsey) and Pat Young was also out roaming around.  The scrum half for the unders was very good and will fit well playing senior rugby this season.  Big Gord Kehoe looked good at #8 and may be tough to handle in league play this season. Dan James (Frances Kelsey), Scott McLeod (Cowichan High) and Casey Cavers (Ladysmith HS) got to play together in the front row for the first time as a unit.  Robbie McDonald and Matt Melgaard.  Young Taffy, at only 16, really opened some eyes on the wing taking high ball under pressure and making pretty good oldster tacklers miss when he had ball in hand.  Coos Jr also played well and actually stands a head above his pop now. Barton Jr. was also introduced to adult rugby and stood his own.  Darren Olsen charged around and made sure tackles way behind the gain line and was able to frustrate at will. 

  

For the overs there were several making debut performances and great to see big John Tate out for a game.  John Battie and Bruce Barton are fierce competitors no matter who they are up against.  They both still have the stuff and there was still some flair that many a fan would see as the two played together in the centers during the mid to late 90's.  Jake Teufel charged around in his "take no prisoners" style and was very affective and disruptive anytime the youngsters ventured close.  The angry little man, Hitchy, had a good game and looks to be in form for the upcoming season.  Big Men, Dan Cvitanovich and Kenny Dodd, were hard to stop ball in hand, but there were some good tacking abilities demonstrated by the youngsters as they seemed to get them on the ground surely and quickly despite the great size.  Mikey Williams was on the wing fields balls and it was strange to see the fleet of foot Guy Shockey as a center.  Great to see stalwart forward, Judsen Garside out on the field after recovering from his injury.

 

As for the "family affair" Lots of Moss' on the field. I think I counted two Jr. Mosses, one Sr Moss and one Momma Moss on the sideline, the Taffy crew, the Muck bunch, the Cowie "Coos" Twos, the Barton Boys

 

Hit of the day was John Dubiel vs Steve "Muck" MuCullogh, about midway through the 1st half in the middle of the field.

Other Hit of the day was John Tate vs Colin Smith about midway through the second half midfield.

Other Hit of the day was Dan James vs Steve "Hardman" Hale in the first half.

 

Thanks to the referees, John and Steve, for officiating.

 

Good day in the clubhouse afterwards!

 

Visitor of the day was Duane Van Eeuwen who came over with his wife Joan. Nothing was new for him as the last time he was at the club we had two fields in the late 80's. For those that don't know, Duane was a very good prop in the day and Represented Canada on several occasions.  After playing with the club he moved to the mainland where he now resides.

 

TRAINING SCHEDULE

 

Training begins in earnest for Senior Men and Senior Women this Tuesday, January 5th. 

 

This season is a formulative one, particularly for Men's rugby. Come on out.....

 

This Spring season will be used as a measuring stick for a league re-structure for next year.  There will be a relegation/promotion system in place and the BCRU has yet to decide on the exact of teams for each of the 3 potential "Tiers" or "Leagues"  Basically the club needs to be in a position where we can control our destiny and to do this we need to place in the top eight. We can easily attain this as we are in a better position based on our fall play than we were a year ago. We do though need the support from everyone.

 

Bring a friend...there's lots of players around we just need to get the word out when the training is!

 

First game vs Burnaby 6th, 2010 at home!

 

MEN'S TRAINING

 

Tuesday evenings @ 7pm at Herd Rd

Thursday evenings @ 7pm at Herd Rd.

 

John James