The Burnaby Lake Rugby Club went two-for-three in the BC Finals over the last two weekends. Playing in West Vancouver’s Klahani Park the premier women won in a thrilling 17-13 win over Velox to claim the BC Women’s Premier Harris Memorial Cup. The first division men orchestrated a 10-8 come from behind victory over James Bay to claim the BC 1st Division Provincial Championship Ceili’s Cup. While the second division Women lost a 17-3 decision to Nanaimo but capped off a very successful second half of the year.
The premier women had an edge of your seat victory over Vancouver Island’s Velox Valkyries. The game was a highly competitive affair with very impressive defensive efforts. The Valkryies’ head coach, highly respected former Burnaby Lake Coach, Bill Meechan said that they would save their best performance for their last and they certainly did just that – almost upsetting the undefeated Burnaby team.
The highlight of the match was Melissa Miyazaki’s intercept try to score in the dying seconds of the game. The premier ladies finished a 10-0 for the season with a championship to reclaim the top prize last hoisted in 2009.
Burnaby were up 10-3 at the half, with tries scored by Dr. Maria Gallo and Lindsay Bernrot. In the second half, Velox managed to gain a 13-10 advantage before Mel Miyazaki scored to give Burnaby the win. The conversion by Becky Querido was successful for the final 17-13 score. Great games were had by Maria Gallo, Jocelyn Barrieau, Katie Larson and Kim Donaldson.
The Burnaby first division men followed up with a 10-8 win over James Bay in the Ceili’s Cup Final. James Bay had maintained a 8-3 lead with great defensive efforts heading into the final minutes. Burnaby had been trailing for the majority of the game with their only three points courtesy of a penalty kick from Carlos A. Periera. Burnaby played a forward oriented game, expansive play was limited due to the weather.
As the clock wound down, Burnaby kept the ball alive for over 5 minutes & orchestrated a 60 meter drive. James Bay were forced to offend at the breakdown & showing the confidence in their game that has been the hallmarks of the season a tap & go was initiated. Showing great game sense Man of the Match Aaron Goddard took the ball towards the posts. After 2 pick & drive’s Alpha grad & ex BLRC junior Brad McHugh spotted a gap & scored his 1st try of the year, right by the posts to tie the game at 8-8. Young stand-off & Burnaby South grad & ex BLRC junior Nolan “ nerves of steel” Shelley then stepped up to the plate and converted to give Burnaby a 10-8 victory. The win marks the first time Burnaby has won the BC 1st Division Provincial Championship Ceili’s Cup & is great reward for the hard work put in by all of the players & coaches this season. Particularly pleasing for the development of the club was that 12 of the successful squad are products of the BLRC junior program. Great games were had by Brad Mchugh, John Decaire, Alec Douglas, Aaron Goddard, Carlos A Pereira & Cory Turkington.
Burnaby second division women’s team, the new kids on the BLRC block, came off a tough match going down 17-3 score to claim the second place plaque in the Women’s Langara Fishing Adventures Dvision Two championship final. While Burnaby had stretches of strong play and plenty of scoring opportunities the ball didn’t bounce their way on the day. Nanaimo ran out to a 17-3 half time lead. Burnaby’s lone points came from the boot of Bekcy Querido through a penalty just before the half. Great games were had by Shannon Fedewa, Devon Luca, Malak Dalati, Allice Shandler and Abigail Barquin Tacal.
Mention must also be given to the men’s 3rd div team who were defeated by eventual champions Kats in their provincial semi final. Per Dodenberg, Kelly Hirakida ,Walter Homewood & Craig Mclaughlin led from the front & were ably supported by Dave Pankratz & Dan Schinbein who had 2 great runs that almost resulted in tries. They unfortunately came up short but Joe Lee’s team can reflect very positively on a season where every Saturday they set the standard for the other teams to follow. Club Stalwart Marcelle Dumais announced his retirement after the game, and having represented the club at the premier,1st div & 3rd div level his experience & skill will be missed. Chants of “one more year” did strike up at the final whistle so please stay posted.
Thanks to all the match officials on the championship weekends. Thanks to the many supporters who came out and cheered their teams on.
Burnaby will not be resting on their laurels as they now look to the fast approaching sevens season where they will be defending both their men’s & women’s provincial sevens titles.
Practices resume on grass field 7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm. See you there.
