Saturday February 19th 2011 – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club took four teams to the North Shore’s Klahanie Park and came away winners in three out of four matches on the day. The Premier Women won with a convincing 31-8 victory. The third division men won with a 11-5 victory. The first division men lost a 25-15 decision and the premier men came away with a solid 39-29 win.
In the third division young Nolan Shelley tallied two penalties and Dave Pankratz scored one try. The 11-5 victory kept the third division mens unbeaten streak alive. Excellent performances by Walter Homewood, Craig McLaughlin, Javier Valle with a special mention to Alan Tang who dislocated his elbow making a try saving dive that helped preserve the win. Joe Lee with a crucial kick.
First Div. started slowly and found themselves in a 0-15 deficit. Inspiration came in the form of Kimi Vunituraga who scored an outstanding try. This led to an excellent period in which Burnaby dominated but to the Caps credit they defended very well. Burnaby inched closer with scores by Barry Bonell and Carlos A. Pereira. The Caps however were able to hold on for the 25-15 victory. Strong performances by Kimi Vunituraga, John Decaire, Edvin Sabic and Alec Douglas who will be lost to the team for 6 weeks with an MCL injury. We wish him well with his recovery.
In the Premier division the BLRC started off on the wrong foot going down one man and three points early on in the contest. Jeke Gotegote was handed a yellow card following an infraction. The Capilanos took the early advantage and came away with three points.
Burnaby came roaring back unphased by the binning. The BLRC pushed the Capilanos to concede a penalty and struck back. Josh Rolls would tie the game up at three a piece.
Burnaby took the slight shift in momentum and pushed into the lead. The next attacking series saw Burnaby’s Joe Dolesau execute a slicing run through the centres, he would be brought down near the Capilano 22. Then it was the Burnaby forwards turn as they took the ball around the fringe of the breakdown, and finished off the next couple of phases with Colin Mackenzie touching down under the posts for a converted try. 10-3 Burnaby.
With the momentum going in Burnaby’s favour the Capilanos showed increased aggression to try and gain possession. They were too eager and a infraction at the fringe of a breakdown lead to one of their players receiving a yellow card. Burnaby would take full advantage of this opportunity. The BLRC marched the ball down the sideline and scored a try courtesy of Preston Petrovitch.
With the game in Burnaby’s control the seasoned Capilano players stepped up their play and closed the gap 15-8. But just before the end of the half Burnaby would again find the try line by clever passing up the sideline and capping it off with Joe Dolesau touching down for a try. Rolls with the convert.
The half would end 22-8 for Burnaby.
The second half started in Burnaby’s favour. After both teams exchanged kicks and counter attacks, the Capilano backs found themselves running out of their half. They were caught flat footed and an errant pass was picked off by Rolls who ran straight in for five points plus the convert which made for a total of seven points.
Five minutes later the Capilano faithful would see their back line throw yet another errant pass tipped into the hands of the Burnaby stand off who would put it into the Caps end zone. Converted try 36-8 Burnaby. At this point, the usually raucous Capilano crowd were hushed as Burnaby started to edge away with the game. Full credit to the Capilanos however as they persisted despite the margin.
The Capilanos were next to score after a Burnaby front rower was sent off for hands in the ruck. The Capilanos pinned Burnaby on their goal line. Valiant defending from Burnaby saw the blue and white turn the Caps away until a well delivered ball found itself in the hands of a Capilano wing for a score. The conversion was good 36-15 Burnaby.
With a man advantage the Capilanos quickly took to clawing their way back into the game. In the coming minutes Burnaby stretched their defense from one side of the field to another. The Capilanos would again score a try to bring the score closer. 22-36 in favour of Burnaby.
With the Burnaby man now back on the field, numbers were even and Burnaby again started asserting themselves. Burnaby marched down the field. Burnaby’s hard work in securing the breakdown lead to the Capilanos conceding a penalty within kicking range. Rolls would increase Burnaby’s lead 22-39.
With the game winding down the Capilanos would pour on the pressure trying to secure a bonus point. The Burnaby players found themselves on the back heel, defense bending but not breaking. The Burnaby defense became a little over zealous and centre Joe was penalized for Burnaby’s aggressiveness. Burnaby still would not give an inch. A break down the sideline for a Capilano wing lead to a stop by flying winger Esava Nakulanisa, the referee felt the tackle was high, and he too was sent off.
Burnaby, down two players, felt Capilanos knocking on the door. The BLRC defense hunkered down and would not buckle. Despite numerous Capilano phases, Burnaby were defending superbly. Their goal line defense remained steadfast. But again, their aggressive take on the defense landed sub Edvin Sabic in the bin with a red card.
Burnaby were now down three men. With pressure building, the crowd at the edge of their seat and Capilano pressing, Burnaby were penalized again this time for unlawful conduct. The referee awarded Capilano with a penalty try. The score 29-39 in favour of Burnaby.
With time winding down, the Capilanos tried once again to inch closer to a bonus point. The restart landed their way, clean ball was spun wide but was knocked on. Burnaby would have the ensuing scrum. As time expired Burnaby kicked the ball out of bounds sealing the victory.
Excellent performances by Colin Mackenzie, Brad McHugh, James Gough, Josh Rolls and Joe Dolesau.
Thank you to the Capilanos and the officials on the day. Thanks to all our supporters. The BLRC are home next weekend February 26th to take on the Bayside Sharks.
www.blrc.bc.ca
