With thanks to Phil Meyer. This one from March of 2016
Huddy Huddy – Giants at MacDonald Park!
Saturday at MacDonald Park will be remembered. Capilano RFC travelling cross the pond to provide another in decades-long battles with our Bays – hard as always – seldom pretty – leaving supporters on both sides of the ball, with: “Boy that was another wonderful game”.
UVic youngsters – representing the spirited rugby contests that have gone on between “town and gown” since rugby at the University began, some six decades ago.
These Saturday players running in the footprints of hundreds from rugby past. Some have played for Canada – some will go on to do so – some simply play on MacDonald’s Fields, and will remember their time here for the balance of their days.
The day begins with our JBAA Ones hosting UVic Norsemen on the Lower Field. The Norse usually strong – our Ones in recovery from several difficult years. On this day it was JBAA. Eight minutes in, our JBAA scrum wins the ball against the head – Kieran McAuley picks and goes from #8 – a try for JBAA. Eddy Adams kicks the convert. Ones 7 – Norse 0.
At 14 minutes, a multi-pass attack from Navy Blue, and Nate Tough swivels in, continuing his torrid scoring pace – game-to-game. Another, Eddy A kick o’er crossbar.
Near mid-half, Eddy strikes again for three. A kick-back for Norse. At half: JBAA Ones 17 – U Vic Norsemen 3.
The games see-saws back and forth in stanza two. Then, 56 minutes in, veteran Nate (Cheese) Waldmann blocks a Norse kick – catches it in air – rambles in for JBAA’s third try. Ed again converts. At 68 minutes, Kieran gains his second, off a Blue Crush maul. Convert good – Eddy’s toe now five for five.
At final whistle, a Norse try. Final score: JBAA Ones 31 – U Vic Norsemen 10, Premier substitutes rushing off to Wallace field.
Huddy Huddy Ones!!!
The JBAA vs. Capilano Premier Clash again renews the best of rugby’s DNA in British Columbia, and beyond. These teams do not ascend to BC Champion every year – but are never far away for long. Together, they hold 33 BC titles (we have 25 of these) – and Saturday, look to begin ascent once more.
Earlier, in league play, our Prems’ speed had set the Caps on heels, and led to a deserved win. Now, the Caps are better ready – and offer tenacious defence through the day. But our Bays offer tenacious defence too – and Connor Braid notches his first penalty 15 minutes in. As in the “at Caps” prior battle, Connor had started at 13 ... but also as before, Camille Blanc goes out with injury early, and Conner moves to #10. Caps’ Chris Robinson replies with “three” only minutes later – and the teams surge back and forth – tied 3 to 3 – until mid-half.
Then our Blue Crush power JBAA ahead. First, our Crush maul over in the left corner – Thyssen de Goede splashing down on the ball. Nine minutes before half, our Blue Crush surge toward the Capilano goal again. Shea Wakefield – initially a young Bay – then a Viker – now a Bay again – reaches forward over the line to touch ball down, hoping to retain his hands intact until the whistle blows. Connor converts – now three for three with toe upon the day. At the half: Bays 17 – Caps 3 – JBAA Olde Stars outside the lines breathing easy.
But as with many games between the Bays & Caps, easy was not to be. Glen McKinnon – anchor of the Capilano team – led the Men in Black back. A McKinnon score at 52 minutes. A Navy Blue score-back by Kyle Lagasca - who played 110 minutes on the day – the only time the Caps’ D seemingly left one of our JBAA backs untracked. Bays 22 – Caps 8.
At 62 minutes, McKinnon strikes again – propelled by forwards’ pressure – Robinson converts. Caps now within 7 – playing hard – our Bays hard on D. Eight minutes from the end, Connor kicks another penalty – now four for five in attempts at goal. JBAA 25 – Caps 15.
Caps score again – Johnny Franklin racing over – five minutes still to go – looking for the come-back win. Our Men in Navy Blue tackle hard to end - don’t let it happen. At the whistle: JBAA Prems 25 – Capilano 20.
Huddy Huddy Prems!!!
These are the hard intense games that elevate the BCRU brand – that our spectators like to see! After, in the House of Bays, the teams congratulate each other – Caps, its season honorably completed – our Bays still facing challenge next week across the pond.
But this day was not done. As teams and supporters mingle in the sunlight, Giants of Canadian Rugby emerge through the trees along MacDonald Park. These men – principally CANADA’s from our 1987 and 1991 World Cup teams – are returning from a Celebration of Life for NORM HADLEY – Leader of our Rugby Men in former glory years – when Canada players – led by Canada coaches – reached high – and achieved much!
Hans de Goede, Glen Ennis, Al Charron, Eddie Evans, Gareth Rees, Tom Woods, John Hutchinson, Mark Cardinal, Bobby Ross, Gord McKinnon, Steve Grey, Dan Jackart, Paul Vaeson, Ron McInnes, Terry Moen, Ron Van den Brink, John Graf, Gary Dukelow, Ian Stuart, Gary Johnston, others I regrettably did not recognize. Reportedly, some 80 Canada’s - all assembled.
Giants of Canada Rugby. NORM HADLEY was there too - held close in memory and in hearts of mates who played the game – gathered here “at home,” from across our country and beyond, to honour Norm. “Close” together upstairs in the House of Bays – strong emotion – a few tears – funny stories – much laughter!
Then, Norm carried in our memories to his rightful place with Canada Giants who have passed before – reclining in the Juan de Fuca clouds along our shore – watching over our ruggers still at play on MacDonald’s Fields.
Huddy Huddy Giants of JBAA – and of Canada!!!
Next Saturday to Burnaby:
Both our Prems and our Ones – winners last Saturday – have earned the right to step up the BC Championship ladder – and will travel next Saturday to Burnaby Lake.
We hear some pundits say: “Gee, Burnaby will be tough!” So they are. That’s the way we like it! We have been there before. In our last two Premier Championships, the pun-dits said we were underdogs. We won both games! Our guys know the way!!!
Huddy Huddy Prems!!! ... Huddy Huddy Ones!!!