News and Press Releases

Cowichan Rugby logo

March 10, 2010

PLAYER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Congratulations are certainly due to three young players from Cowichan who represented their country this past weekend. Cassie Stevens, Danielle Scott-Poulson and Michelle Moore traveled with the Canadian Women's U-18 and U-20 teams respectively to California this past couple of weeks and participated in some good competition vs University and club sides in California. The U-18's won their competition and the U-20's took the Consolation final. All three young women played and contributed on the score board. WELL DONE...THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR COWICHAN RUGBY!

THIS PAST WEEKEND'S GAMES

Cowichan RFC traveled to the mainland this past weekend with two full busloads of players and fans. Man, Vancouver was a beautiful place Saturday morning with bright sunshine on the Olympic City and surrounds. First time in years Cowichan has been able to travel with over 40 players to an away venue on the mainland.

Jericho beach and park were in good shape and Cowichan was confident that despite that always tough travel situation across the pond the boys were ready for battle with the Ravens, two clubs that met in the Rounsefell Cup final 17 years ago with Johnny Graf leading the Old Boys to a 9-3 win over the Piggies to secure the Championship.

Cowichan's second team, who struggled a bit in the fall, have seen some good fortunes of late and sat with a record of 2-2 before this weekend. Half of this group could well be starting for their High School squads and their leader is Grade 11 student at #10, Patrick Kay. pat is recently back from Cuba where he played every game for the Dog River Howlers in the Cuba International 7's.

The game was close throughout with the lead switching back and forth until the very last play of the game which saw the young Kay slot a penalty kick from about the 35m line to seal up a 28-27 win for the young Piggies.

The Premier game was pretty even through out. The Raven scored an unconverted try first then Cowichan took over and scored two beauties under the posts to make the score 14-5 for the visitors. The Ravens came back with a try near the end of the half to make it 14-10 at the break. The ever steady boot of Ed Fairhurst would be set to punish Cowichan if an when there was the opportunity, and the opportunity presented itself a couple of times mid span in the second half which vaulted the Ravens over the Piggies to make it 16-14. Cowichan responded with two Andrew Wood boots at goal to make the score 20-16 with about 15 minutes to go. fairhurst again came to the Raven's rescue and two missed tackles - two tries. Score 26-20 for the Ravens. Just like last week vs the Lomas, Cowichan needed to score to win.... A converted try was indeed the goal. Cowichan, off a huge scrum at about the Ravens 22m, shoved the Ravens back 5m and easily stole the Ravens put in. The mad scramble started. The Raven's desperately defending their goal line to keep the young Piggies out. Cowichan purposely moved the ball to a possession point right in front of the posts. The Ref blew up the Ravens for coming in the side of a ruck and Cowichan's captain called for the set piece...... Whoops... not allowed according the referee.... Not enough time left in the game to have a scrum..... The Piggies, caught off guard as a result of this strange decision, tapped and went - probably in a panic - and fumbled the ball on the goal line game over. Some of the coaches and players wondering how in these last couple of weeks we can't seem to simply get it done. Oh well, that is sport. Raven's were worthy victors and were great hosts after the game. The bus ride home was a memorable one.....say no more.

The Women's Premier team met up against a very seasoned Meralomas crew on Saturday and ended up on the short end of a 65-0 scoreline. This is the first taste of Women's Premiership for the Cowichan ladies and there certainly is a growing and learning curve in this league. None the less, back at it for this weekend's tilt vs Bayside at home at the Piggie Dome!

GAMES THIS WEEKEND

This Saturday Cowichan's men will host the Thunderbirds from UBC. Cowichan will seek to avenge the losses last spring at the hands of the students. For the first time this season Cowichan will have all players back and healthy including three key starters who missed the Ravens game.

John James