Match Report Sunday Sept 23rd.

Match Report Sunday Sept 23rd

Evergreens v Abbotsford Originals

 

The sun was shining and the rugby stars were shining at Brockton Rugby Oval, Vancouver for the Evergreens v Abbotsford Originals over 40s rugby game on Sunday.

As the final score of 9-5 indicates, it was a wide open game full of exciting breaks and yes, a total of 14 tries. Wow!!

Our friends from Abbotsford made the long journey in without a full compliment of players so, we gave them Gary, Jack and Barry for the first half and Bill, Ronnie and Mike for the second half.

Both teams lined up at 14 a side. Below is our starting line up (players in brackets joined us for the second half).

1. Ian (M)  2. Zack  3. Dave  4. Jiff  5. Ian (A)
   

7. Mark(Garry/Barry/Bill)  8. Jim  9. John (B)                  
10. Steve 11. Sonny 12. Tommy 13 Brett  14 Ronnie/Mike                                                          
15. Donnie                         
                                                                                                            
Referee: John McGillivray.

It was a very lively clean game with lots of great running & solid tackling by both sides.  Hats off to Abbotsford for putting on a great show despite missing a full compliment of players.  They played a very competitive and good clean game of rugby!!

Here are the key points of the afternoon’s fun:

·         Big WELCOME BACK to Ian Anderson. We’ve missed you big man!!  And what a way to make your comeback, putting in an outstanding performance at lock, topped off with a terrific try!! Great game ya big Scottish lug!!

·         Point #2. Never trust the English!!  Before the game Jack Stokes mumbles, “Oh, I’m so unfit, will be lucky to get though 5 minutes at best”.  Then, slutting for the Originals, he tears up the field to score 2 tries against his Evergreens bros!! Oh yeah, poor Jack!!  Then there’s Steve Pulford, same shite “Oh, I’m so unfit. Just got back from spending several weeks back in England. I’ll barely be able to hang in”. Oh yeah? What does Steve do?  Has a blistering day at stand-off and runs in 5, yes 5 tries.  Thankfully he was on our side, so all is forgiven Steve. Pommies, I tell ya. Can’t believe a word they say!!

·         Big thanks to the Legends; Barry, Jim, Dave and Steve as well as Zack from the former ESG (Zach, we’re now calling you a regular, not guest player). Always a welcome sight on game day. Barry provided us with his customary knock-on with the tryline inches away. Oche eye Barrae!! Dave put in a ton of work in the loose and big Jim was on fire at #8, great work you guys!! Oh and yes, Pulford and those 5 tries. Alright, alright!! Well done chaps, without you we would have been hard pressed for numbers. Of course, not forgetting Jack from Snowcaps. For the record, Jack played with us on the second half but we opted to not pass to him for his indiscretions in the first. Heh, heh!

·         Let’s not overlook our regulars who always lead by example. Well done Brett, who only scored 3 tries (shame on you!!), Mark, Jiff, Garry, Ronnie, Bill, Mike, Sonny, Donnie and John (B).  Brett was in great form with each of his tries coming from long penetrating runs. Mark, Jiff and Ian (M) hustled throughout, Donnie was, as ever, a model of consistency at full back, even making his trademark ankle tackle late in the game.  John (B) put in a very productive day in his unfamiliar position of scrum half. Great job John!! Ronnie, followed Jack Stokes bad example and ran in a try against his Bros. Whaaaaaat was he thinking? Garry gave 100% for both sides, so does that mean he gave 200%?  Bill, ever the keener, put in a solid effort on the field (and bigger effort off it- more later). Sonny continued his rapid progress on the wing and is flourishing into a fine rugby player!!  And Mike, always the dark horse, put in a great half with the Originals at wing forward!!

·         And finally, post game. Bill put on an outstanding show with not just a feed, but  a feast!!  Awesome job Bill!!  Dick-of-the-day went to Ronnie (or course!!). All year long we scream at him to just ‘gun it” and then when he does,its against his own team!!  Man of the Match for Evergreens went to Steve Pulford. You know the guy who was whining before the game that he didn’t feel up to it!!  Man of the Match for Abbotsford went to our own Mike, who put in an outstanding performance at wing forward.