Dec 13, 2009

U17 Lost 15 - 34 vs Bayside

A slight skiff of snow settled on the capital but it was 'game on' last Sunday at Windsor when a very strong and well coached Bayside team visited to test the local Ed Bryans Cup winners. Bayside supporters had also made the trek en masse, and they are to be congratulated on the "total package" on the day.

The game was only two minutes old when CW was penalized in front and Murphy-Blake posted first points. At the twenty minute mark, Fergus Hall replied for the hosts as the battle waged back and forth. Following a booming punt downfield and a favorable bounce, CW applied pressure which resulted in a penalty. The alert Captain, Joe Furness, took a quick tap and slipped the pass to a following Fergus Hall who was able to force his way over. Despite what looked like a Bayside backline that had lethal potential, CW appeared to have the lead at the interval but it was not to be and in fact, the lead was never to be regained. Right on half time, #10, Murphy-Blake glided through after a deft dummy and a missed tackle to score and convert for a 10 - 8 heart-breakng lead.

The second stanza opened with a ton of Bayside possession and they really put CW to the sword. It was ten minutes in when the huge and speedy winger, Williams, scooted away from tacklers, to score under the posts. Down 17 - 8 and the task of tackling bigger, stronger and faster men, again CW found themselves defending desperately, particularly against the very talented Bayside backs. It was from one such foray that Gerhardt filled and made good yards. From the ensuing breakdown, the ball passed through six sets of hands, side to side and Locker crossed the line untouched. The convert put the contest out of reach.

To CW's credit, they did not abandon the fray, forcing a lineout deep in Bayside's 22. Munro took the ball and drove blind, handing off to Kinsella who had much work to do but finished with a forceful burst and well-deserved try. Both these lads were work-horses all day long for the losing side. Hall added the extras and at 24 - 15, things looked respectable. This was not to be the final scoreline and Murphy-Blake was once again the thorn in the side with a "slinky" weaving run and a missed tackle to cross for his brace. With CW "emptying the bench" in the late going, Bayside added another for a 34 - 15 victory.

Spectators were unanimously agreeable on the quality of the rugby on display, Bayside unselfishly moving the ball at pace with all players looking to free someone for the line. If all clubs were to work on junior rugby and games of this calibre were to become regular occurences, the state of Canadian rugby would soon be revived. Kudos to the victors and the Adam Roberts coached, Earl Marriot school teams should have high school coaches, sitting up and being aware, with the upcoming schools season.

To CW coaches, manager, parents and players - thanks for a great run.