Saturday February 25th, 2012 – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club traveled across the Strait of Georgia to take on the University of Victoria’s Vikes and Jutes. With the heavy snow the night prior, all of Burnaby’s mainland fixtures were postponed, enabling the first and second team coaches to have a few extra bodies for the trip over. This would be essential as several key players were out of the line up and the true depth of Burnaby Lake was tested.
The trip was successful yielding two important victories to the first and premier teams’ playoff bid. The first winning by a narrow 18-17 victory and the premier men in a 42-35 shoot out over the Vikes.
In the first division game the infamous “sea legs” came into play as the Jutes scored two tries early to go up 10-0 in the first 15 minutes. The wind also played a factor as kicks for points were made uncertain by the heavy crosswinds. Burnaby would find its form but lapses in their defensive zone would allow the Jutes to build a 17-10 lead going into half.
In the second half, Burnaby would tighten up their defence and bring on impact substitutions Mike James and Adam Dowhy. Burnaby would score eight unanswered points in the second half via an Edvin Sabic try and Nolan “Money Man” Shelley’s boot. The first team showed composure and patience taking the lead with five minutes left in the game and holding off a late U-Vic charge to win.
This was a big comeback win for Dave Murphy’s team and all the players who participated should be commended as people played out of position and did what it took to get the victory. Good games by Nolan Shelley, Captain Aaron Reed & Angus Fisher.
Burnaby Scorers:
Nolan Shelley (2 penalty kicks, 1 convert)
Edvin Sabic (1 try)
Brad Gordon (1 try)
In the premier match, the boys would come out firing but an early Penalty saw U-Vic up three points in the first five minutes. Burnaby got back into the game when Evan Thomas weaved and ducked up the centre of the U-Vic defence and then offloaded the ball to a speeding Esava Nakulanisa on the wing who juggled the ball before gaining possession and scoring in the corner. The kick would sail wide. 5-3 Burnaby. U-Vic would add a try to their total via their speedy right wing to go up 8-5. Burnaby would tie the game up through Geoff Ryan’s boot who struck the ball well through the posts from 25 metres out.
The game would swing in the students’ favour when U-Vic would take the lead on a penalty kick. Five minutes later Burnaby would form their own offensive that saw Rory McDonell score a try between the posts on on his premier debut, the convert was good and Burnaby would take the lead 15 to 11 going into the half.
Early in the second half a well played line-out enabled U-Vic flanker Chase Kelliher to score. U-Vic stand-off Nathan Hirayama was able to grab 2 extra points with a successful convert. 18-15 Vikes.
Burnaby Lake came back strong, tying the game up via Geoff Ryan’s boot then adding two trys by Nate Mantle and Scott McKay to take the lead 30-18. UVic responded though as they were able to tie the game up thirty points a piece via their speedy back line.
Burnaby’s Adam Martin was able to put the blue and white ahead another five points when his support run sliced through the Vikes into the corner.
The Vikes would not give up as they willed themselves into the Burnaby end zone to tie the game 35-35 with only minutes remaining.
U-Vic would concede a penalty and Geoff Ryan would have a chance to seal the game with a kick but it would sail inches right. The Vikes needing a win decided to run the ball out of their twenty two. Hirayama would break five tackles en route to the Burnaby 40 metre line but would be taken down by Javier “Fizzledome” Valle’s cross cover tackle. Burnaby would regain possession and mounted an offensive that saw Scott McKay score his second try of the day to seal the deal for the visitors. The convert was good for a final score of 42-35. As with the 1st division this was a huge character performance, BLRC were missing a number of starters due to suspension and injury the latest injury afflicting Giuseppe ” The Race Horse” Laudisio during Thursday’s practice. Ex Burnaby juniors Gareth Morrey Jones and Brad Mchugh simply worked their socks off and pack leader Aaron Goddard took his game up another level. Scott Mackay just edged Andrew Lackner as the BCRN man of the match and Evan Thomas once again made good things happen whenever he got the ball.
Burnaby Lake Scorers:
Geoff Ryan (2 penalty kicks, 3 converts)
Nate Mantle (1 try)
Scott Mackay (2 tries)
Rory McDonnell (1 try)
Esava Nakalansia (1 try)
Adam Martin (1 try)
The trip home was merry. Thanks to the handful of supporters who came over with us on the ferry. Thanks to the referee Kyle Ferguson and the assistant referees John De Goede and John Buxcey and to the University of Victoria for the well contested matches and for hosting after the games.
Next week the Premier and 1st Div Blue and White travel to Jericho Park to take on the Ravens, while the 3 Blues & 3 Whites play Rowers & SFU respectively
Burnaby Lake Rugby Club – Many Teams One Club
www.burnabylakerugby.com
@burnabylakerfc
