Match Reports - March 18, 2023

Women’s 2nd Division vs. SFU

The 2nd Division women’s match saw the Capilano side taking on an experienced SFU team who are in the midst of their first season in this division. This game promised to be a fast, hard-hitting affair and lived up to the hype!

The Capilano team starting the match well with great runs from both forwards and backs and relentless tackles from #4 Isabel Neilson. After several changes of possession, new Capilano #9 Catrina Thompson stole the ball on an excellent turnover and spun the ball out wide and into the hands of #11 Alicia Parker-Sutton who was in excellent form on their first game back from injury. A barreling run from Parker-Sutton flustered the defense and a quick recycle sent the ball out to #10 Shelby Slay who looped around on the blind side, took the ball on at pace, and raced 20m up the sideline and over the line for the first try of the game. Tough conversion was wide, and the home side was up 5-0.

The rest of the first of three periods of play saw great phases of play from Capilano as they settled into the game well and applied relentless pressure on offense and defense. Their patience paid off in the dying minutes of the period as the home side overcame the pressure of having their 9 temporarily down and turned the situation around to their own advantage. Veteran impact player Genevieve Bittorf stepped into the 9 role without hesitation and got the ball out to #15 Leonie Lartey who went on a great run, fending off several players, before offloading the ball right into the hands of captain Shelby Slay on one of their signature support runs who crossed the line for a brace. Score at the end of the period sat at 10-0 for the home side.

The second period proved to be challenging for the Capilano team as SFU’s experienced impacts brought new energy and strategy to the visitor side. However, the Capilano players continued to pressure well and pinned the SFU side in their own half for several minutes before a turnover allowed the SFU backs to run away for their first try of the game. Conversion in front of the posts was good, and the score was now 10-7.

The rest of the middle period of play continued in a similar fashion as the young Capilano side applied pressure to the visitors and managed to turn the ball over several times. The home team defended their try line well and managed to clear their zone several times before SFU finally were able to cross the line off a quick tap to bring the score to 10-12. A quick turnover in SFU’s 22m saw the visiting team take a quick try to close out the second period – but were chased the whole way by #12 Lara MacFarlane who showed their grit and determination to pressure the runaway SFU player over the entire 60m. Score at the end of the second period stood at 10-19 for SFU.

The third and final period of play started with renewed pressure from SFU as they worked their way into the Capilano side off the kick-off before spotting the overlap and going over for a score to bring their team to 10-24. The next ten minutes of play showed the heart and resiliency of the Capilano side as several players went down injured. However, the home side

defended well with great line speed and strong hits to wear down the opposition attack. #5 Alison Horne impressed in only their second month of playing rugby with great tackles and defensive plays, and huge chase down runs. As the time ticked down in the final period of play, the SFU side managed to score two quick tries near the end of the game to stretch their lead to 10-39 at the final whistle.

Players of the Match were #9 Catrina Thompson whose speed and experience has been an invaluable addition to the Capilano women’s program, and #5 Alison Horne whose impact on the field has increased exponentially each game in what is their first ever rugby season! Big thank you to the SFU side for a great game and a valuable opportunity to experience playing against new opposition this season. Thank you also to our sideline medical staff, game day volunteers, and all the spectators who came out bright and early to cheer on the first games of an action-packed club day!

Women’s Premier Division vs. CW

The second women’s game on the docket saw the premier women take on their island opponents Castaway Wanderers. These teams have met several times over the last couple seasons and each game has proved to be a fiercely contested match.

The match began with a flying start to CW who ran the length of the field shortly after kick off and reached the Capilano 5m line before #15 Savannah Bacchus took them down. However, the CW support was only steps behind and they were able to snatch the ball up and over the line for the first score of the game. Conversion was wide, and the visitors were up 0-5 within the first minutes of play.

The home side struck back quickly, however, with a huge kick from #10 Flora Poole on the restart which caused a knock-on. The early conceded try was forgotten as Capilano set their sights forward and marched the ball up the field with phase after phase of strong, relentless, play. Inside the oppositions 22m, the ball went out to #14 Suhad Mardikian who charged through on one of their many devastating runs of the game before a perfectly timed pop to the supporting #6 Rachel Moloney who dotted the ball down for the first try of the game. Score was now tied at 5-5.

The Capilano women were getting in their groove now, as they quickly worked their way back into the CW half a few minutes later. #10 Flora Poole took the ball on with pace and fixed the defender before giving a beautiful ball out to #12 Sarah Bill who came slicing through the defense at full speed and over the line to put the home side into the lead at 10-5. The next few minutes of play saw lots of pressure from the visitors as they pressed into the Capilano end. Several quick penalties hurt the Capilano efforts, and soon the CW forwards picked from close range and got over the line to take the lead at 10-12.

Capilano got right back to business however, and Flora Poole’s kick off the restart was gathered superbly by #14 Suhad Mardikian to maintain possession for the home side. The black and gold were settling into their flow now as the forwards took their team up field with bruising runs before the ball went out to the backs who finished the offensive run with flair on a flawlessly executed set-play which saw #13 Dani Fearns race under the posts untouched for the go ahead try. Score was now 15-12 for the home side.

CW was far from giving up and took on the Capilano defense with renewed energy. The home side withstood the pressure well for the first few minutes before the CW 9 spotted a gap off a scrum on the Capilano 22m and raced away to retake the lead for their team at 15-19. The visitors struck again quickly as they worked their way back up the field off the kickoff before finding a gap to increase their lead by a converted score at 15-26.

The home side had some work to do as the time ticked down in the first half. The experienced Capilano players rose to the challenge and displayed excellent grit and composure to regain possession before #10 Flora Poole cleared their zone with a beautiful sideline 50-22 kick to give their team an attacking ball just inside their attacking 22m. Several slick phases later, and #4 Teya Ashworth took an inside line, brushed off the would-be tacklers, and stormed over the line to finish off an impeccable team try and bring the score to 20-26.

Capilano struck again before the half with several big defensive hits from #15 Savannah Bacchus and #4 Teya Ashworth to give the home side attacking ball inside the CW end. A slicing, shortrange play from #9 Christina Burnham to #2 Melissa Robinson saw the hooker cross the line and bring the home team right back into the game with a scoreline of 25-26 at the break.

A strong start to the second half saw the Capilano women take control of the game early. The #9/#10 combination of Christina Burnham and Flora Poole directed their troops with excellent decision making and composure as the home side marched their way up field. A big run from full-back Savannah Bacchus got their team deep inside the CW end before a quick dart from Christina Burnham put the defense on the back foot before sending the ball out to #4 Teya Ashworth who crossed the line for their second try of the day. The home side was now back in the lead at 30-26.

The Capilano side were settling into their structure like clockwork now, and great play from across the board took the team into an attacking position again a few minutes later. The ball flew out to #2 Melissa Robinson who took on the line at pace, drawing in the defenders, before offloading to Savannah Bacchus who scorched away for a try on the outside. Tough conversion went wide, but the home side had now stretched their lead to 35-26.

A yellow-card to the CW side gave Capilano a numerical advantage a few moments later. Players 1-15 impressed again as the home side went phase after phase of impressive rugby. The Capilano pack also earned several penalties throughout the game as their scrum dominated the opposition side again and again. Capilano capitalized on the extra player minutes into the card as a big run up the sideline from #14 Suhad Mardikian took the home team 5m out before a quick tap penalty sent #7 Beth Dueck spinning out of tackles and over the line for a try. Huge conversion from #12 Sarah Bill out wide took their team to 42-26.

The game was looking decided now, with time ticking down, but CW was on the hunt for a comeback. The visitors, now back at full strength, worked their way back into the Capilano side before a pick and go took them under the posts for a converted try. The score was now 42-33 with only a few minutes remaining. The visitors weren’t going to go down easily as they got on the board again for a controversial runaway try before opting out of the conversion and instead left time for another kick-off.

The Capilano side showed impressive composure and discipline in the dying moments of the game as they pressured relentlessly and protected their half with a brick wall of defense. Their efforts were

rewarded as the clock ticked over into the 81st minute as the home team’s line speed forced a knock on to end the game. A breath of relief went through the crowd and cheers went up as the final score read 42-38 to the Capilano women.

Players of the match were #2 Melissa Robinson who was instrumental in several tries and whose consistency and leadership across offense and defense drove the home side forward throughout the match, and #13 Dani Fearns whose speed and running lines left defenders bewildered time and time again. Huge thank you to Castaway Wanderers for making the trip over and for providing yet another incredible, competitive, game of rugby. Huge thank you also to our sideline medical staff, club day volunteers who make days like this run so smoothly, and to everyone who came out to support and cheer us on!

Written by Heather Muir

What a day of Rugby at Klahanie, International Rugby on the big screen at 10 AM, a Paddy’s day Party in the evening and fun for the kids on the field following the games. Five games on tap.

2nd Division Men Scribes won by a score of 48-5:

Scribes are fielded a strong 2nd Division side their ball handling was good and they had some speedy backs. They handily defeating Caps 2nd Division, Caps lone try was scored by Raul “Chile” Figueroa, who scooped up a loose ball and sprinted 45 meters for the score. A young woman near me said why didn’t he go under the posts? My answer was he is over 50 and was probably exhausted! Chile and another, Snowcap Mike Johnston played for the seconds to give them a full squad. Great club spirit! Congratulations to Scribes and thanks to the referee Mr. Abercrombie who also was an AR in the Premier Match.

Men's Premier Reserve - CW/Caps

The Capilano Reserve match was won by Castaway Wanderers. 32-16. I didn’t see much of that game either as it was up top and I was announcing the Woman’s game on the Bob Spray Field. CW scored two quick early tries, apparently Caps regrouped and put in a decent effort. Congratulations to CW and thanks to referee, Mr. Tyler Dawson

The Premier Men’s match was a cracker! The final score was Capilano 29, Castaway Wanderers 26:

The Capilano Club knew this would be a hard match. CW was, according to reports, very good against UBC and were unlucky not to have come away with a victory. It took a late try by the T-Birds to give them the win. Caps won a close one at Burnaby but lost two key players to the mounting injury list. Hard rocks Tim Manns and Glen McKinnon both joined the mounting injury list. A visiting team from the Island affects the attendance so the Capilano Club put a call out to all former players and alumni to come to the game. Many answered the call and the stands were full to overflowing. It was a one sided crowd but they appreciated quality rugby and gave both sides loud support at the end of the game.

Caps opened the scoring with a nice try by by fiery Matt Nicol. He finished off a returned kick by CW, Johnny Franklin took the ball and passed to Matt Nicol for the score. The convert was just wide so Caps put up a 5 point lead. It didn’t take long for CW to answer with a try by their hooker Jace Peters. We heard that their forwards were very fit and effective and they certainly lived up to their ratings. The tackling was fierce by both sides and little ground was made running the ball with the exception of the kick run backs. CW converted and took a 7-5 lead. Caps fullback Jeremy Simon kicked a rugby league style kick across the field that was downed for the score in the far right corner. Mike Moloney converted the long kick and it was now 12-7 for Caps.

CW made a poor clearance kick that the kicker would no doubt like back and Caps returned it with hooker Ingoldsby finishing it off. The conversion was good and it was now 19-7 for Capilano. CW answered quickly with a score after putting pressure on Capilano and getting the ball deep into Cap territory. A strong run by CW scored a try under the posts and the convert narrowed the Cap lead to 3 points 17-14. The score remained that way until the half time break. In second half CW came out strong and determined break through in the centers by number 12 Matt Sutherland broke through the Cap line and it looked like a sure try but he was brought down by the Cap cover play. He made a nice off load and the ball went to Number 13 Ollie Nott to finish it off. The conversion by Gareth Sandner gave the lead back to CW. 21-19. Some long kicks by Mike Moloney put Caps deep in CW territory. CW ran out and it looked promising but a pass to the wing went astray and in to touch. CW had another promising run but a knock on stopped them. CW kept the pressure on and looked like scoring

but an interception turned it the other way and Caps went all the way to score finished off by Johnny Franklin. Mike Moloney converted and the Caps were up by 3 points. Caps kept attacking and it looked like they might extend the lead but a flurry of penalties kept forcing them backwards. Caps were fortunate to not have received a yellow card as the penalties came one after another. CW had a chance to get a line out, and to use their powerful maul, but their kick found the in goal and Caps were able to clear. The rest of the game was defense and Caps were fortunate to withstand the pressure put on by the visitors. CW was on he verge of scoring a try but Caps intercepted another pass and withstood another attack. The crowd was urging the Caps on and Mike Moloney ended it with a kick out of the Capilano in goal.

The Capilano’s who are always tough at home live to fight another day. This was a vital win in order to secure a playoff spot. It was a tough loss for Castaway Wanderers who likely would have won but for a few mistakes. Caps go to the Island next to play old foe James Bay who are always tough at home. Hopefully Glen McKinnon will be available. Tim Mann could be out for the season. Sam Franklin who was having a good game also had to go off with an injury. It is tough luck for Sam as he has worked hard to get back into the starting 15. We wish Sam a speedy recovery.

Following the game the teams headed for the clubhouse for a good feed and a few beers. The men of the match were selected and CW had to run to catch a ferry. Thanks to the game officials and the visiting referee. Caps are fortunate to deal with West Vancouver Parks as the entire West side of Vancouver parks were shutdown for a rest? This forced the Raven’s Meralomas and Kats to scramble to find alternate facilities. This was a very strange decision and one has to wonder who made this decision and why!

Written by John Langley

*Photo credit - Craig Slay Photography