JBAA claimed the Barnard Cup in resounding fashion on Saturday afternoon after pummeling CW 78-7 on a sunny day at MacDonald Park.
Tom Burton, who was perfect from the tee in the first half, and Cooper Coats, who missed just one conversion in the second half, led the way for the Bays.
Just four minutes into the match, after the JBAA forward pack sets a decent platform, Mostyn Findlay jaunts through the CW defence, finding Crosby Stewart in support who touches down.
Seven minutes later, after a JBAA error, CW score against the run of play. And that would be it from the visitors on the day. There was a tiny bit of fightback from CW later in the game, when a Wanderer attempted to fight Superdad Jim de Goede. Jim couldn’t find a ball to throw at him, though, so nothing really happened.
Crosby touches down again a few minutes later after sustained JBAA pressure in the CW twenty-two. Shortly after, Kai Lloyd makes no mistake when he scores in the corner.
CW mounts a quarter-hearted attack for a few minutes, but never even enter JBAA territory. The JBAA defence is tough, with a few big hits coming from the JBAA pack. Eventually, Crosby intercepts and looks sure to score, but gets taken down just shy of the line. Support is there, but a CW player purposely knocks-on, halting the attack. The Wanderer sees yellow for his trouble, and Tom takes an easy three points.
Minutes later, the JBAA backs work a smooth ten to twelve to thirteen to wing play, but a good old knock-on ends the near certain try. Thankfully, the CW faithful don’t cheer on the unforced error, and, turns out, it’s actually a JBAA penalty for an offside offence.
Captain Blake elects the set, and it, of course, dominates. Luke picks, goes, and scores. As noted, Tom doesn’t miss, so we’re at 31-7 with about ten minutes to go in the half.
Luke Campbell gets taken out offside at the ruck just shy of JBAA’s twenty-two. His bell gets rung a bit. In days gone by, such play would result in fisticuffs (or Jimmy throwing a ball at an opponent). Not anymore. We’re sure the citing officers will have a look. Luke’s best friend forever and former UVIC teammate, General Manager Shea Wakefield, replaces him.
Craig double-barrel scores just before half-time. Time then stands still for about 10 minutes for reasons no one is aware of. CW restarts, and five seconds later the half-ends. JBAA a lot - CW a little.
The JBAA coaching team make a plethora of changes at half-time. The JBAA Brain Trust remarks that they haven’t seen such a deep bench in a very long time.
The second half is a one way street, and there’s no other way to put this save to say JBAA scores in droves, and CW doesn't score at all. In fact, CW look as though their skulking parade back beyond the Tweed Curtain starts at the 41 minute mark.
Tries from the JBAA #21 (we think, sorry), Kai Lloyd, Mostyn, the JBAA #21 again, and Craig double-barrel more than sealed the win. Time was called a bit early to make things nice.
With a few games to go JBAA handily wins the Barnard Cup for the more than 25th time in their history.
