Apr 24, 2010

Premier Lost 16 - 20 vs Capilano

A windy afternoon but a good day for rugby at Windsor. CW highlighting the afternoon with their adios to Skins and fundraising to assist the Womens Nats. Play opened with good pressure by the home team...the Maestro missing a long droppie but CW was first to score at about the ten minute mark when Captain Ken took a #8 pickup which almost looked too easy. 7 - 0. Caps responded with sustained pressure for about ten minutes, much of which was inside the red zone. CW almost got off the hook but gave a penalty up at the breakdown (one of many at this facet of play during the match). Caps found touch, craftily drove the maul from the lineout in what is technically an offside mechanism, where the jumper is cleverly shielded in the air by blockers on either side, etc, etc, for the first score to Rhone. This was followed up by the try of the match when right from the k.o., in a sweeping movement involving about eight players, Sawyers put the exclamation mark down by outflankng the stunned watchers to put the Caps up, 10 - 7. Hard play from both teams followed, split fairly evenly in terms of ground gained and McKinnon (Caps), Buydens and Gay showing out. Although the first stanza ended three points in arrrears and play seemingly even, the discrepancy in possession went Caps way and when the ball did come to CW's normally composed backs, the reaction was one which was apparent shock. Lineouts were a particular sparse source of ball for the hosts.

A good start was made by CW to the second stanza and a try by Matt Buckley, was negated owing to an offside call...guess one had to be there, as it appeared very close. CW suffered further penalties, putting themselves under real pressure but it was they who scored again and yet again, from penalties and a steady stroke from Munro to go ahead 13 -10. However, it was Sawyers who made another an elusive foray to see Caps eventually earn the lineout deep in CW's territory. A second rolling maul resulting in the try, put the nail in the coffin and saw the hosts trail 13 - 17. With twenty minutes remainng there was hope and both Goodland and Graf needed to leave the fray to be patched up but both returned to soldier on. With ten minutes left, Munro added another trey 16 -17 but it was the old hands, Strubin and Larisch who crafted their way back downfield and Hilborn obliged with a penalty to end the scoring - game; bonus point for the hosts - set; and when the news came down from Gordon Head - match!

Not much to add - with Gay being recognised by his opposition as M-o-t-M...yet again. Smithy had a good game, as did young Grant, Buydens - a hard man, played as he only knows - full on but overall the pack was outplayed which set the platform for the W. For Caps, Sawyers was scintillating...a man who looks for work, recognizing his potential contribution and respected by friend and foe. Larisch was good when he needed to be and McKinnon and Langley were uncompromising. It was a hard match played fairly by both teams, some apparent inconsistencies however the ref kept control. These teams respect each other and the Caps turning of the Home and Away wins table, deserve credit. For CW......the first time for a long time with no post season action. Reflection will be long and hard by the powers that be, starting with the players but it would be unfair not to add a thanks for some of the most memorable tallies ever witnessed at Windsor Park.