February 9, 2010
BOTH MEN'S TEAMS WIN ON SATURDAY!
1st Div Game: Cowichan 7 vs Burnaby 5
Cowichan scorer:
- Patrick Kay Try
- Patrick Kay Convert
Premier Game: Cowichan 22 vs Burnaby 13
Cowichan scorers:
- Kyle Geach: Try
- Mike Roberts: Try
- Steve Young: Try
- Andrew Wood: Convert x 2
- Robin McDowell: Penalty Goal
Good crowd on hand to welcome Burnaby RFC (first time in 12 years)
1st game was tied at 0-0 when Cowichan #10, Patrick Kay, faked a pass and darted in for the try near the end of the game. Burnaby scored a try in extra time under the posts only to miss the convert. Lots of youngsters in this game at key positions like High Schoolers, Patrick Kay at #10, Sean Williams at #9, Jordan Bowcott at #11. The coaches and spectators were very impressed with Jordan Bowcott out of Chemainus HS. He made some very nice tackles and several spirited runs ball in hand. Game ended 7-5 for Cowichan.
The second game saw a moment of silence by both teams and fans for Nigel Geach who was a tremendous supporter of Cowichan Rugby.
Burnaby showed up with a good, yet different Prems. team than we faced on the mainland last year. Obviously, like every team this season, bolstering their squad to try and fend of relegation. Several of the Fijians from Bayside moved to Burnaby and made a definite difference in their look. Burnaby's two rosters had 6 imports listed. They were certainly a better side and were led by the ageless Colin McKenzie at #8. Their #9, de Guezman, was also a spark-plug for the Lakers.
Cowichan was able to sit out 4 Premier starters including the team captain due to the depth of the program, all be it, left the 2nd XV with a short yet resilient bench. Cowichan's average age on the day was 22 so again, the youth movement is once again, front and center.
The Premier game started out well for Cowichan with lots of pressure on the Burnaby bunch.
Kyle Geach was tremendous in his debut with Cowichan. Glad to be back in the green and black after a few years away. Kyle made crunching tackles throughout and scored a beautiful try after some nice passing through the backs. Mike Roberts also scored a nice one under the posts off a reverse that again was nice to watch. The combination of Adam Shouten(9) to Andrew Wood(10) was a cracker and no doubt this combination will get better as the season moves on. Pat Fraser, Ty Cook and Garrett Graham played well in the back three. It was Garrett's first game in almost a year and at times the nerves showed. Jake "Poptart" Robinson and Robin McDowell came on as replacements later in the game also contributed in the team effort.
With Dan James not in this game and Doug Wooldridge away in Wales, the front row saw three "newbies" to the Premiership. Big Steve "Chunk" Young performed well on the day and was rewarded with a try after quickly seeing an opportunity off a penalty to tap and go...pretty hard to stop 330 pounds going full steam...over he went. Scotty McLeod and Preston "Precious" Petrovich both held their own in the set pieces and around the pitch. PP was binned for what Mr Degoode said was a "Team Card" for repeated infringements around the ruck. The feisty PP was standing in the wrong place at the wrong time and off he went.
Both teams suffered a fair share of niggling injuries during the game. This saw replacements coming and going throughout and lots of injury time on the referees watch. Several times Mr. Degoede had to stop the game to count players...Cowichan never gave up the lead though and with resilience and stingy, strong defence. Burnaby on the other hand was desperately trying to secure a bonus point and missed two seemingly easy penalty attempts at near the end of the game. The Cowichan boys, despite the two yellow cards, missing several key players and playing a pretty good Burnaby Bunch, were able to hold on for what is a key season opening victory for the club.
Halftime score was 14-5 for Cowichan. We went up 19-5 then settled for the 22-13 win. Colin McKenzie and the Fijian #11 on the wing scored for Burnaby.
Player of the game for Burnaby was Colin McKenzie. The pick for Cowichan's player of the game was Kyle Geach.
Lots of work to do though. Training this week will see an active, yet positive work week on improving our game in anticipation of next weekend's tilt against JBAA down in Victoria.
There is a very good feeling in the club right now and everyone is confident that this group of athletes can move forward.
Other Premiership scores:
JBAA 29 vs UBC Old Boys 14
Castaway Wanderers 27 vs Vancouver Rowing Club 13
U-Vic 53 vs Bayside 32
Capilanos 43 vs UBC Thunderbirds 7
Meralomas 15 vs Velox 14
Mini Rugby Registration
There will be a second opportunity to register for Mini Rugby. Mini Rugby is open to both Boys & Girls, born in 1996-2001
Season: February 28 to May 9
Practice & Games: Wednesday Evening & Sunday Morning
Registration & 1st Practice : Sunday February 14 @ 10am
Location: Cowichan Rugby Club,1860 Herd Rd Duncan
Cost: $150 Contact Rugby (U12 & U14) OR $75 Non-Contact Rugby (U10)
Information: Contact Gord @ (250) 748-3336 or email geach10@hotmail.com
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