This Saturday saw the Burnaby Lake Men’s program fielding 4 teams in 3 different cities, a big thank you to everyone who worked hard to make this happen.
*3rd Div Blues 55- vs Richmond 3*
The day started well for the blue & white as the 3rd div Blue team put in a strong performance against Richmond.
Ex BLRC juniors Brian Murphy & Tyrell Rothery ran the show from scrum half & fly half respectively & the forwards led by ex BLRC juniors John Decaire & Kelly Hirakida produced good ball for the backs to show their stuff.
Strong games were also had by Liem “Panda” Jung who converted his own try & Thomas Menzies.
This win sees the Blue team atop of the 3rd div B pool with one week until playoffs begin & in a good position to get a home game in the 1st round
*3rd Div White 3 – Vs Kelowna 45*
This was always going to be a tough game, especially away, as Kelowna have a strong program with many gifted athletes.
Credit to the 16 players who represented Burnaby Lake on Saturday against our friends from Kelowna, many of whom have played for BLRC while living in Vancouver.
The scoreline was not truly reflective of the possession or territory that both teams enjoyed, the difference was that Kelowna were able to take their chances & attack from range particularly through Ricky Schouten who Burnaby had difficulty with all day.
Kelowna had to work for all their scores and ex BLRC fly half Anthony Bird kept a nice flow to the game for the Crows.
This was a real dogged effort by Burnaby & captain Rick Flello led from the front filling in at hooker when his team needed him.
A big thank you to the Kelowna Crows for their excellent hosting & the opportunity to renew old friendships.
*1st Div BLRC 23- CW 8*
The weather at Windsor park was perfect for the 1pm game at Windsor Park as the BLRC took on the defending Ceili’s Cup 1st Div Champions.
Determined to not suffer from “Ferry legs” coach Dave Murphy had his team ready to go from the start & this was a good thing as the 1st 10 mins saw Burnaby on defence as CW led by Nanyak Dala & Jacob Lamb continually asked questions of the Blue & White.
Excellent tackling & a turnover created by Preston Petrovitch & Brad Mchugh allowed Geoff Ryan the opportunity to clear his lines & his cultured boot set up good field position to attack from. This was rewarded with 2 penalties within a 5 minute period that Geoff converted to give Burnaby a 6-0 lead 15 minutes in.
In the next series of play an excellent line break by BLRC full back & welcome addition to the BLRC ginger club Colin Thomson saw him tackled at the line, however Dala who made the tackle was sent to the sin bin for preventing a quick play of the ball. With excellent field position Burnaby drove the ball through the forwards yet somehow turned it over. The CW stand off sensing the opportunity to counter attack threw a miss pass that was picked off by Geoff Ryan & he scampered over under the posts, with the convert it was 13-0 with 20 mins played.
In a testament to the work Dave Murphy has done with this team Burnaby played controlled rugby knowing that having a man advantage for nearly 8 minutes was an opportunity to get more points on the board. Expertly marshalled by Cory Turkington Burnaby moved the ball forward from sideline to sideline waiting for the mismatch to occur. Despite good defence from CW it came when Ryan shifted the play to the blind side & Javier Valle found Colin Thomson hitting the line at pace, Colin beat the 1st defender due to the speed he hit the line at & this momentum took him past the other defenders & over the line for a well worked score, Geoff Ryan again was good with the extras.
With Dala back in the game the CW attack was focused around involving him as often as possible & despite many good attacking positions great defence from the team saw BLRC only give up 3 points for a ½ time score of 20-3.
CW scored from the opening phases of the 2nd half kick off & the possibility of a comeback did appear on, however Burnaby upped their energy & through the forward charges of Alec Douglas, Andy Drummond, Brad Mchugh again established control which allowed Ryan the chance to pin CW in their end. Burnaby tallied a 3 pointer which is where the scoring ended & then in the last 10 minutes being a man down showed excellent defensive capabilities, bending yet not breaking against the CW tide. Mike Harkins was particularly strong during the last 20 & led the defensive effort. This victory secured home field in the play offs for the 1st div & it was good to see the players who came up from 3rd div, Blake Barnert, Colin Thomson, Dean Villares, last week to cover injuries play so well.
*Premier Game – BLRC 16 – CW 23*
The weather that was so right for the 1st div game changed dramatically for the premier game which was played in rain & hail, despite the conditions both teams tried to play open rugby. CW needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive carried the play for the 1st 10 mins & tested the Blue & White defence, eventually a turnover created by Plummer allowed Reekie the chance to clear his lines & most of the half was played between the 22 areas as plays would break down due to the tough handling conditions the weather presented. This affected both teams as usually sure handed players such as Buckley & Goodland & Cejvanovic & Reekie suffered uncharacteristic knock-ons which prevented any flow to the game.
5 mins before the break Burnaby gave up a penalty that Hearn, who was excellent all day converted, from the kick off Burnaby were able to force a penalty & just before the break Reekie levelled matters for Burnaby.
The team that was able to better adapt to the increasingly sodden conditions & be patient would have the better chance for success in the second stanza. Attacking down the hill CW led by Barkwill & Woolridge created small gaps in the Blue & White wall which saw a penalty awarded that Hearn again converted. The next 5 minutes saw CW again control possession and an excellent break by prop Thornber saw play taken to the Burnaby 5 metre line & the Blue & White defence scrambling, Franklin was 1st to the breakdown & was able to pick up & dive over for the crucial opening try, again Hearn added the extras. 13-3 down & going against the wind & the hill & the baying CW balcony this was gut check time for the league leaders.
As he has done all season Mike “Pikey” Gough calmed his team & reminded them of the need to play controlled patient rugby & for the next 15 minutes that is what happened, this resulted in good things as 2 forays into the CW 22 from Joe Dolesau resulted in penalties that Reekie calmly slotted. More controlled play from the kick off reception & a clever kick through by Reekie that was knocked on by CW gave Burnaby an attacking scrum on the left hand touchline, Cejvanovic controlled it well & picked & went blind & after beating the 1st man fed his back row colleague Doug Breadon who went over for the tally, Reekie with the extras & suddenly Burnaby were up by 3 & the balcony was quiet & CW’s season was on the line. Another solid 5 minutes of possession rugby was needed from Burnaby to keep the ball from CW, unfortunately from the kick off a knock on handed possession back to CW & from the resulting scrum a penalty was awarded that Hearn slotted to level matters. 10 mins to go & all to play for & both teams giving up possession cheaply with unforced errors. From a kick deep into CW territory Mozac Samson found space & set up a ruck 30 metres out from the Burnaby line quick ball & good vision from Buckley who kicked the ball through & touched down his own kick gave CW the lead, Hearn once more with the extras.
Burnaby had 5 minutes to salvage their unbeaten run & despite getting to the CW 22 & good position on 3 occasions they were forced into touch & turned the ball over. Mr Taylor blew his whistle for full time & the game was over.
Congratulations to CW on the win & for taking their chances & adapting to the conditions better than Burnaby.
A big thank you to the referee Kai Taylor, his assistant referees, CW for the hosting after & the many BLRC supporters that made the trip over to support the team.
Next week sees the Blue & White return to the friendly confines of Burnaby Lake for a day of club on club rugby as 3rds, 1st & Prems play the Bayside Sharks, while our 3b’s play out at Abbotsford for 1st place.
We hope to see the sidelines packed as they have been for the last 3 home games.
BLRC – Many Teams – One CLUB
