Saturday September 17, 2011. The women took a trip to Kamloops where they won 54-16. Look for the game report by Legendary Coach Walt “the voice” Brandl later this week. In the third division the boys came out with a solid effort but lost their game to the rowers 27-8. Great games by Liem the Panda, General Ricky Bobby and Gabe Raymond. In the first division Burnaby Lake won via Rower default. In the Elite division the Men came away with a 30-17 win.
In the Elite division, the boys were keen to continue their performance from the previous week. The Elite men arrived at Brockton looking to upend the Rowers. The match took place under overcast and rainy conditions. The crowd of supporters were well prepared and many showed up in BLRC Hoodies.
The scoring started off in favour of the Rowers. When a clearing kick failed to find touch, the Rowers exploited gaps left by Burnaby’s staggered line of covering defenders. The Rowers would score to go up 7-0 early.
Burnaby were quick to respond. An infringement around the breakdown led to a penalty. Nolan “the Delivery Man” Shelley stepped up and split the uprights for a score of 7-3 in favour of the paddlers.
The Burnaby Lake men would then add to the tally when Nathan Mantle crossed over the line via a Joe Dolesau offload. Young Shelley would again convert. Burnaby would take the lead at 10-7.
The Rowers were quick to pounce and exploited BLRC’s miscommunication. When the Lakers were breaking out of their territory and a pass was telegraphed and intercepted by the Rowers for a try under the posts. 14-10 Rowers.
The dying minutes of the half saw a pair of heavy hits and a yellow card handed to fullback Angus Fisher for what looked like a late hit. BLRC would finish the half with 14 players. The Rowers would add another penalty to go into the break with a 17-10 lead.
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Kris de Scossa making a momentum move brought in Fly half Geoff “O’Gara” Ryan fresh off the bench. The Lakers would strike in the 50th minute to inch closer, as Joe Dolesau would score via Admir “Call me Adi” Cejvanovic’s half gap offload.
In the 60th minute Prop Scott Mackay would receive a yellow card for what looked like hands in at the ruck. BLRC would go on to continue their inspired play, Captain Mike Gough was substituted for new front row Micha Govorchin.
In the 65th minute Jeke Gotegote made a quick step and a dash for the line but was stopped short. The Rowers were penalized for slowing the ball down at the ruck. The BLRC would again keep the score board ticking with a Geoff Ryan penalty. The BLRC would take the lead 18-17.
The next score would again come from Burnaby, this time from the forwards. The try came off of a multiple phase drive that saw impact sub Mark Whelan stride in from the 22 meter for a converted try under the posts. Ryan with the convert. 25-17 BLRC.
The last try came again via the BLRC forwards. This one was inspired by Fuku Vikilani’s scintillating run that saw him break several tackles en route to a score… only to spill the ball inches before the try line. The BLRC pack were able to regain possession of the ball. A line out and drive for the Blue and White saw Anthony Luca dive over for the try. Ryan would ding the ball off the post, but Burnaby Lake would finish the match with a 30-17 bonus point victory.
Great games were had by Nate Mantle, Aaron Goddard, Joe Dolesau, and Mark Whelan.
Thank you to the match day officials and to the supporters who braved the rain storm.
Next week the tier 1 women take on the Capilanos, while the elite men take on the UBC Old Boys at the Lake. See you there.
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