November 12, 2011
It’s Cold, Wet and Raining…Perfect!
As the animals were marching two by two looking for shelter from the Saturday deluge that the meteorologists refer as a shower, the Burnaby Lake Women’s 2nds took on UBC at BLRC. The 2nds have been steadily improving with every game. New players are learning the game and fitting in with the rest of the squad. The challenge to the team on Saturday was to put it all together for 80 minutes, and build on their past efforts.
And put it together they did. While the weather conditions determined that the game would never be one for the artists, they did set the table for hard work and dedication. Ably lead by the quiet captain (Ahn Tran from Vietnam) Burnaby Lake out gutted and outlasted UBC.
Burnaby Lake opened quickly from the kick off pinning UBC in their half of the field. Sustained pressure lead to Burnaby carrying the ball into the UBC 22 where good support at a breakdown to the right of the posts lead to quick ball being passed out through three sets of hands to Genevieve Gratton, who spotted a gap in the defence, and darted in to score. Genevieve was unable to convert her try. 5 – 0 for Burnaby.
UBC then started pressing. Burnaby curiously responded by not committing bodies to the breakdown, and UBC was able to consistently gain quick ball from their possession and turn overs on Burnaby’s. It was at this point that UBC also began to take control of the scrums, where they would enjoy an advantage for most of the game. Burnaby’s defense held on, but with UBC effectively driving away Burnaby’s attempts to turn over or retain the ball, the inevitable score came through Blaine Lyons to tie the score 5 – 5.
Burnaby rallied and was able to work through a few phases, however UBC again committed bodies to the breakdown, and was able to successfully take away Burnaby possession. With Ahn Tran shining on defence and Desiree Noger leading by example at the breakdown Burnaby Lake was able to hold off UBC until a key break by the UBC outside centre opened up the backfield. With Fullback Genevieve Gratton unable to tackle the UBC ball carrier, and both of her support players simultaneously, Gabriel Hindley scored for a 10 – 5 lead which UBC carried into the halftime break.
Half time was about focusing on the task at hand. Our defence was doing the job. We had to collectively step up the work rate and commitment at the breakdown. Get possession of the ball and many of our problems would be solved.
From the kick off Burnaby took the game to UBC. While UBC definitely had the upper hand at scrum time, Burnaby was able to nonetheless maintain a territorial advantage over UBC, keeping UBC in their half for the majority of the second half.
Burnaby committed the bodies to the rucks, and the younger players began to follow the examples laid down by Desiree Noger, Deb Caps, Carly Walker and Lauren Tagg. With Jessica Tortora and Megan Twist also joining the ball carrying party, UBC began to gradually wear down. After 15 minutes, a breakdown 10 meters from the UBC line gave Ahn Tran an opportunity to set up Malak Dalati, who drove over the goal line, but unfortunately lost the handle while being tackled. Burnaby continued the pressure and eventually won a turnover and Carly Walker crashed over in the left corner after a great drive from the Burnaby forwards. The score was tied 10 – 10.
Burnaby continued to pile on the pressure, wearing down a UBC squad that was clearly tiring. With the ball again pinned in the UBC 22 Aly Govorshin notched her first try in BLRC colours, shrugging off her opposite number while crashing over to score the decisive third try of the game, which Genevieve Gratton was able to convert. Burnaby 17 – UBC 10.
Burnaby kept grinding away at UBC, and eventually the clock wound down and Burnaby Lake walked away the victors in a match where they simply out-gutted the opposition.
Players of the game for Burnaby were Desiree Noger in the forwards and Aly Govorshin in the backs. Ahn Tran was the silent assassin in defence, tackling well above her weight and leading the team by example.
Congrats to the 2nds on a well earned victory!
