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3 generations of Ebb Tide (including rookies)
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| © Hugh Jervis |
Annual Father - Sons Game Held Last Weekend: Rick and Morgan Williams Star Performers: Hugh Jervis Photo Gallery Added
[ed. this was a great weekend for family rugby. First a touch tournament for everyone from 10 to 80 where grandparents encourage their 2nd generation prodigies to "run straight". Following this is a full on game for fathers and sons, the numbers are fleshed out by those who were once a parent or son. Morgan and Rick Williams suited up for the Ebb Tide as did 70+ Bryan Holmes and son Steve. Another notable for the Ebb Tide was Adrian Betanzo whose father Francisco played for the Ebb Tide for many years before moving over to the R.I.P. Tide in 2004. I know if Francisco was watching he would have had a big smile on his face. Here is the report by James Turner and photos by Hugh Jervis.]
posted July 18 2008
Some would say that Rugby was the winner. This last Saturday saw a glorious sunny day greet us for our second attempt at the Velox club for the Father and Sons Day. Starting with Jackson #5 of the six Holmes present kicking off the Touch section.
Many Thanks to Rae Roer and staff of Murk, Luke and Rick for getting that going. Four full teams and spares of all ages and genders participated in a fun and fast runaround.
This was followed by George Jones, one of the creators of Velox, and Bruce McFarlane, an old time first division member doing the Kick off presentation of the feature match. This game had many father and son combinations on both sides. The remainder were filled in by want-to-be and married-into relations, as well as friends.
On this day there were too many good efforts to list them all here so suffice to say All who partook did well. Early on, the Ebb Tide side, featuring Rick and Morgan Williams, looked to be too strong and quickly raced out into the lead. Never looking back, they tore up huge pieces of real estate. Several sets of hands and some strong runs gave them numerous good tries. Velox, never quitting but being shut down on the goal line, too often looked like they might be left out. Against the flow, one exciting try was a long romp in which both of the Williams boys nearly killed it off with big tackles before Scott fed to Etu pulled down near the line as he fed to Jesse to score and Velox was making it a game. This type of action was indicative of the play throughout and the last try of the game proved it. Velox had a break from about thirty meters with space. Scotty saw the space and made for it with the fans worried he might keep the ball but he drew his man and fed. The next couple of players moved the ball quickly to the full-back, Paul Beauchamp, streaking for the line as Morgan Williams cross-covering thumped him into the ground and corner flag. Paul just dotting down before the great collision to tie the match at six tries a piece. The whistle blew to end the match after the try was awarded. What a great finish!!
Selectors picked MVP's for Ebb Tide as Rick and Morgan Williams. For Velox, Step father Barney Frisby and Mike Collins. The drink session won by the Collins'.
With many thanks to our ref Travis. Also to the coaches: Russ Lazaruk, Doug Saqui, Lynn Morton and Joe Frenette. They obviously have potential there. A big thanks to the Williams family for their work and donation of the burgers and all of those who helped in ANY WAY to make this day.
Tour Manager's report by David "Big Wave" Millard
posted March 19 2006
We have just completed a 2 week, 5 game tour of Japan and the Ebb Tide RFC were well received wherever they went. Our tour included traveling from Tokyo to Nagoya, Tenri, Kyoto, and Osaka before returning home and we had a great time.
The "over 50" and "over 60" teams won all their games but the "40s" suffered a loss against the Wak-Wak (2 tries to 1 try). It was a very hard match that could have gone either way. Lots of sore knees from low tackles but we gave back as well as we took and both sides needed a few days of rest to recover. The quality of rugby at the over forty level is extremely good, the forwards are getting bigger and the backs are very fast and execute plays very well. Any team travelling to Japan should not take them lightly as they play to win at all costs. The post game hosting was fabulous and everyone enjoyed themselves, lots of sightseeing to castles and temples, and we took in all the night life. We discovered that there seemed to be an Irish Pub near most of our hotels but that is another story.
The team visited Bob Love's grandson's Grade 2 class and we spent about 1 hour with them and exchanged gifts, sang songs and answered questions about Canada. Shane and "EBBY the Moose", the club mascot, were a big hit with the kids. I do not think the kids have see many westerners as they were surprised to see these massive people walking down their school hallways. Thanks to Bob Love and his family for arranging the visit, it is always a highlight of a tour when you can interact with young people as a group to exchange ideas. It was a wonderful time and we will be sending some rugby balls back to the school for their use as well as information on mini-rugby training programs.
We have now created our own tour stories to match those of our senior members who encouraged us to reconnect with our friends in Japan and I thank them for pushing us to tour. We have now returned to our home towns a little tired but enriched by the experience and would return to Japan for another tour in a heartbeat. We recommend all "Over Forty" teams to make plans to tour Japan and make or renew old friendships and experience a different culture.
March 5 Fu-Waku,Tokyo 40's & 50's both won
March 8 To-Waku,Nagoya 40's and 50's both won
March 11 Old Bears,Tenri 50's won 15-0, 40's lost 5-0
March 13 Wak-Wak,Osaka 50's won, 40's lost 10-5
March 16 Osaka Gentlemen 40's & 50's both won
Ebb Tide head to the land of the Rising Sun to carry the flag of BC Over 40 Rugby
posted March 2 2006
The Ebb Tide Rugby club head to Japan on Thursday to play five games against Over 40 opposition. The Ebb Tide play in the local Pacific Northwest League that offers regular competition during the BC playing season.
Besides the on field competition there is a strong social component to Over 40 rugby and the trip to Japan is a chance to renew the ties between BC and Japan rugby. The Ebb Tide first toured to Japan in 1972 and this is their sixth trip across the Pacific.
The playing itinerary is:
March 5th vs Fu-Waku in Tokyo
March 8th vs To-Waku in Nagoya
March 11th vs Old Bears in Tenri
March 13th vs Waku-Waku in Osaka
March 16th vs Gentlemen in Osaka
Good luck and have fun....
Over 50s tournament held on the weekend at Brockton Oval
[ed. comments below]
posted Dec 14 2005
Ebb Tide managed to show up with 17 players for this yearly Over 50s tournament held at Brockton Oval. The young kids (over 40s) were told to stay home for this one. Some talented photographer from the Snowcaps club snapped a few pics and they're on display on their website: www.snowcapsrugby.com [by the way who is that weird guy with the long hair and why doesn't he get a haircut] The Ebb Tide went undefeated in the tournament, winning the first game 2 tries to 1 and getting a tie in the second game with no tries scored. Although the Ebb Tide's star South African player almost scored but was ankle tapped by a blade of grass a mere 5 metres from the line.
Which reminds me I received a note from our Ebb Tide correspondent in Panama:
"The Panama Red Devils practice on Saturday turned out to be an hour of brutal exercises (in heavy tropical rain) followed by 3 15-minute full-out periods of intersquad rugby in the mud - Robin and I went the whole 45 minutes. Except for one 40 year-old Argentinian the rest were in their teens and early twenties. The two old boys did well, though I still have the bruises to prove it.
Hopefully I can get some rugby in when I return. If I keep eating and drinking like I have been I may have to change position and join The Fat Backs Club."
The dedication to staying in shape for the rugby season is commendable and I'm sure the constant supply of cheap beer in Panama will help you join the exclusive 'Fat Backs Club'. As a current member in good standing I say "Welcome".
The Ebb Tide are touring to Japan in March 2006 and practicing Tuesdays and Thursdays in preparation. I talked to a number of other clubs at the tournament and there are 2006 tours to Argentina and the Maritimes on the books. If any touring sides are looking for players, you can post the info here by emailing editor@bcrugbynews.com
Remember: Every day above ground is a good day...
Ebb Tide RFC, in preparation for their tour to Japan in March, sent a 30 man squad to play the Snowcaps on Sunday and were able to field two equally strong sides against the North Shore squad
by David "Big Wave" Millard
posted Nov 22 2005
Ebb Tide RFC, in preparation for their tour to Japan in March, sent a 30 man squad to play the Snowcaps on Sunday and were able to field two equally strong sides against the North Shore squad. The warm up resembled an intersquad game as we worked on our sets, rucks, mauls and lineouts. The lineouts were the weak link for both team's attacks as neither team could put the ball in straight and we should have gone directly to the scrums to save time for the restart.
We overwhelmed the local team with wave after wave of red jersey players and due to their depleted numbers we played uncontested scrums (which was the warmest place on the field). The front row players had time to discuss the Lions-Edmonton game, we tried to recruit their props for the upcoming Japan Tour and generally catch-up on the local news. Bill Aylesworth needed to be reminded a couple of times that it is OK to let them to win the sets on their put-in, but old habits are hard to break.
At one point Ebb Tide featured all James Bay RFC side for a 10 minute segment and it has been suggested next time we feature an all Velox squad. Even though we out numbered the host team the game was played in the Spirit of Over 40's Rugby, with sportsmanship, and was enjoyed by all players.
Robin Dyke was awarded the illustrious Ebb Tide Red Jacket for man of the match and it was fitting that he was selected at Capilano where he was a past president and was instrumental in building their successful rugby tradition.
The final score was Ebb Tide 4 tries to Snowcaps 1 try but the real story line was 50 'Old Farts' got to play a game of rugby and enjoy the day.
David "Big Wave" Millard
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