Premier Report
The final score in the premier match-up between the James Bay Athletic Association and the Westshore Valhalians was more fitting of a baseball game, or even a soccer game where both teams tried to score all the time rather than passing the ball backwards. In any event after two hard-fought halves of robust defense, the margin of victory in the premiere game was a mere 5 points as the Westshore team upset JBAA by a score of 8-3. The game was more exciting than the total points would suggest.
Thomas Burton set the stage for the physical match when he ran over the opposition nine barely one minute into the game. James Bay was on the attack in the early going but the Valhalian defence was up to the task, ultimately thwarting each wave of attack by the visitors. A dump tackle by the home team resulted in a yellow card at the 12 minute mark. Despite being a man short, Westshore was able to capitalize on a 'not rolling away' penalty to take a 3-0 lead. At the 18 minute mark, a brilliant clean-out by the Bays' number eight Carson O'Sullivan raised the ire of a Westie and as a result of the ensuing skirmish, referee Assmusen yellow-carded O'Sullivan for his retaliation. During the next twenty minutes, both teams have some success in the backs with the Bays led by Rhys Gregory and Aaron Evison, the home team by centre Khaleb Whitehurst and fullback Taylor McGuire, but neither team is able to finish their thrusts into opposition territory. As both teams defend vigorously, only the Bays' number 6, JC. Fidende is able to make consistent penetrations through the forwards. At one point, Mitch Sora seems to be through for the Bays but a jarring tackle by defense pops the ball loose and the threat is extinguished. Ultimately the opening half ends at 3-0 for the home team.
The kick to start the second half is short, but is unnecessarily played by the Bays and knocked on as well; this sets the stage for the next ten minutes of scrappy play which includes a plethora of knock-ons, collisions and hectoring of the referee by an Andy Foster dopelganger. Only JC seems to be playing any constructive rugby until an errant JBAA kick is gathered by a confident Taylor McGuire whose penetrating run eventually leads to the first and only try of the game, extending the Valhalian lead to eight points. After this, the visitors make a number of long-yardage runs into the opposition territory, one by Carson O'Sullivan and the other by Aaron Evison being particulary noteworthy. In both cases stubborn defense and/or lack of support prevented a score. JC Fidinde's uncomprising aggression is rewarded when he steals the ball and an ensuing penalty allows Burton to drill a three pointer to allow the Bays to draw within one score. The Bays continued to press and with only minutes remaining have their chance to win when they have a scrum on the home team's five metre line. With both teams having shown inconsistency in the set pieces, the game came down to the line at this point in time....and the determination of the Westies was palpable as they shoved the Bays off the ball to effectively end the game with the ensuing clearing kick.
The game was exciting to the end and although scoring was limited, the drama was plentiful. Congratulations to both teams on their physicality and to Westshore for the victory.
Premier Reserve Report
A much older looking Westshore ten, twelve, thirteen combination was the difference on the day in the Premier Reserve match as JBAA fell 29-22.
The first scrum of the match gives Bays’ supporters hope, as Andrew McPherson and Riki Gunn disintegrate the opposition and win a penalty. Almost plant based Nate Waldmann finds touch, and Mac Greedy goes to the back of the ensuing lineout, five out from the Westshore twenty-two. The Blue Crush, led by Ben Johnson, wheel just in time for number eight Andrew MacDonald to speed through and dot down untouched. JT Boehme is unsuccessful with the conversion. 5-0 Bays five minutes in.
At thirteen minutes, the Westshore outside centre, Sipili Molia, who many in the Vancouver Island rugby community know from his time at CW in the early 2000s, boshes through the JBAA defense to score. The Westshore kicker can’t convert. 5-5.
The Bays defense led by Coleman Braid, Dakota Lachance and Fischer Kooman stymie any attempts by Westshore to gain momentum for the next few minutes. The other Westshore centre, Nanyak Dala, who spent time in the centres at CW in the late 2000s, is often stymied by his opposite number, Andrew de Goede.
At eighteen minutes, JBAA winger Etienne Roberts, who puts in his time with his beloved at the JBAA gym Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6am, shows off his one arm pressing strength, when he fends not one, not two, but three Westshore would-be tacklers on his way to a tally. JT comes close with the convert, but just can’t sneak it in. 10-5 Bays.
The Bays’ defense again holds as Westshore put in a number of phases on attack. Halfbacks Jordan Ford and Toddy Wilson barking out orders to their forwards and backs alike. Despite the defence, Westshore do well to control territory.
At twenty-five minutes the tide turns in favour for Westshore for two reasons; first, the gritty and ageless (in looks and style of play) Ben Johnson leaves the field with an injury; and second, the Westshore ten slices through the Bays defence to score. The conversation is successful. 12-10 Westshore.
Ben is replaced by Jordan Brown, who impresses for the rest of match with ball in hand, boshing over and over and over again. He comes close to scoring once in the first half and once or twice in the second. He’ll impress next week.
At thirty-five an absolute mess of a play results in another unconverted JBAA score. Almost plant based Nate Waldmann chips through. The Westhore defender can’t gather, but neither can JT Boehme in pursuit. Nate tries to gather as well, but can’t. The slick surface contributes to the mess, and the ball slips from a grass based Westshore defender’s hands. JBAA number fifteen Jaden Prigione, who was very impressive on debut, gathers and scores under the posts. 17-12 Bays.
Westshore score again after grinding out a a number of phases. The half ends 17-17.
The second half starts slow. Five minutes in, Westshore score again after a number of phases. The conversion goes in off the post. 24-17 Westshore.
For the next twenty minutes JBAA press. Crisp delivery from Jordan Ford allows JBAA to string together phase after phase after phase, and continue to win territory. Hot Toddy Wilson loses his temper at the cynical play from all sides at fifteen minutes, and rightfully so, but credit to referee Julianne Zussman for keeping order and managing the game well. She was rather invisible on the day, the way a referee ought to be.
At twenty-three minutes, after sustained pressure, the Bays finally score. Welshman Mac Greedy, fresh off his time in the coal mines of South Wales, touches down. The conversion is unsuccessful. 24-22 Westshore
That is where the Bays’ charge ends,. Sipili Molia scores again for Westshore ten minutes from time to make the score 29-22.
The Bays try their best to gain some momentum for the final ten minutes, but play gets choppy. And the boot of the Westshore number ten, quickly takes away any territory gained. No phases are strung together, and the whistle often halts play. The game ends without a final charge by JBAA. Final score 29-22.
The Bays host the powerful UBC Thunderbirds next Saturday.