Kamloops Match Reports by William Shaw: Women Defeat Meraloma at Connaught, Men Lose in Richmond
Another double KRC away game, and another 5:45 am leave for both Senior squads.
The ladies arrived to Connaught Park and were greeted with lovely wet Vancouver day. Aliyah Romdominski kicked off to the hosting Lomas and the KRC forwards immediately put them under direct pressure. The back row combination of Charise Overhoff-Coutu, Thea Flundra, and Kalea Nokleby caused problems for the Lomas attack from kickoff and continued that pressure throughout the entire game. The combination of Raider pressure and wet weather quickly resulted in the Raiders regaining possession and starting their tenure in the Lomas half. The hosting defense did well to create turn overs early on, unfortunately their exits from within their 22m were handled well by the starting back three trio of Tamara Martin, Mel Davies and Aliyah Rodominski.
Emily Lindsay was distributing excellent ball despite the difficult handling conditions, this allowed the Raider forwards to establish an excellent attacking platform. The front row of Sara Fast, Mya Giardullo and Riley Halvorson regularly provided Kamloops front foot ball. After a period of sustained Raider pressure, Callie Harder finally opened the scoring for the visitors after breaking multiple tackles, Jess Oldenburger added the convert 7-0 KRC.
5 minutes later, the Radiers had a big scrum and drove the Lomas back, with the attack on the back foot Charise stole the ball, a few phases later Kelsey Meryl spotted space wide and kicked across field, the ball was collected by Mel Davies who carried a Loma tackler into the try zone as she added the second of the game, 12-0 KRC.
Lindsay Stobbe replaced Mya 25 mins into to the second half, and kept the strong front row carrying. The Raiders continued to control possession and territory Callie Harder on a other strong running line broke through the defence and notched down her second of the game, 17-0 KRC.
After a solid 30 mins of play by wingers Tamara and Mel, they got a break as Tayla McMillan and Taylor Lawson came onto join Lily Watkinson who’d replaced an injured Aliyah Rodominski. The new back three trio worked hard throughout the remainder of the 1st half, providing great support off of strong running outside center Caleigh Silversides and dealing with kicks from the Lomas flyhalf.
On an ensuing KRC lineout, replacement scrumhalf Mia Smith moved the ball and the KRC backs attacked wide. Taylor Lawson worked hard to break a few Lomas tackles and trotted in for the final score of the half, Jess O notched another conversion and KRC led 24-0.
The second half saw the Lomas come back with renewed energy, this saw the Raiders on the defending side of the ball for the start of the second half. The Raider backrow continued to keep the Lomas under pressure, with Kalea and Thea coming up with some critical turnovers and carries keeping KRC from getting pinned in their end. When in possession, the second row duo of Milena Chambers and Jess O carried strongly and moved the ball with precision.
This strong forward play, along with the fantastic kick coverage/return from Lily, Tayla and Taylor helped KRC weather the attacking Lomas storm. After gaining possession, Lizzy Gotuaco spotted the Lomas ruck defense sleeping around the breakdown and scampered along the side to get KRC back in the hosts 22m. A few phases later Mel Davies was able to find a crashing Kalea Nokleby, who used her strength and footwork to add another try. Raider captain, kicker and powerhouse in the engine room Jess Oldenburger notched her third convert of the day and the Raiders led 31-0. After a almost a full game at openside flanker, Thea Flundra was still hunting, she spotted a gap and found space to get the Raiders moving again. With the Lomas defense retreating Kalea Nokleby was able to break another tackle and the Raiders were again deep into the Lomas end. Off the next phase the backs moved the ball to Mel Davies who rounded the corner on the Lomas defense and added another 5 points, 36-0 KRC.
The Lomas made a solid push into the Raider half to end the game, they were not able to break the defense though and on the ensuing Lomas knock on the game ended, final score 36-0 Raiders.
Forward of the Match – Riley Halvorson
Back of the Match – Kelsey Harpman
Hardest Worker – Callie Harder
The Raider men were away to Richmond, the hosts were the first to score after both sides spent the start of the game testing each other around the field, 0-7 Richmond. After strong scrummaging from the Raider forward pack and some slick play out wide, the Raiders scored an unconverted try, 5-7 Richmond.
Richmond was able to score next, also unconverted, Cam Graham answered for the Raiders and saw the score moved to 10-12 Richmond. Richmond added one more unconverted try before the half, score 10-17 Richmond.
Richmond was the next to score in the 2nd half, 10-22 Richmond. KRC responded with Tate scoring a try of his own, convert was made and the Raiders narrowed the game 17-22.
Unfortunately, despite strong Raider pressure inside the Richmond 22m, they were unable to find there way into the try-zone and Richmond was able to weather the pressure and secure the win.
Forward of the Game – Austin Comeault
Back of the Game – Charlie Kinloch
Raider of the day – Tate Wtadza
Both KRC sides finish their first half next week, the Senior Women are at Capilanos, while the Senior Men are Kats.
One In, All in!
Women’s Division 1 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | TF | TA | TD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | Kamloops | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 231 | 19 | 212 | 38 | 3 | 35 | 25 |
 |
2 | Comox Valley Kickers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 158 | 17 | 141 | 25 | 3 | 22 | 19 |
 |
3 | James Bay AA | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 116 | 39 | 77 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 17 |
 |
4 | Bayside | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 61 | 114 | -53 | 11 | 19 | -8 | 13 |
 |
5 | Castaway Wanderers | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 118 | -65 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 13 |
 |
6 | Capilano | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 112 | 39 | 73 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 11 |
 |
7 | Nanaimo Hornets | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 47 | 81 | -34 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 10 |
 |
8 | Meraloma | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 34 | 198 | -164 | 7 | 32 | -25 | 5 |
 |
9 | Cowichan RFC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 81 | -66 | 3 | 15 | -12 | 0 |
 |
10 | United | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 140 | -121 | 3 | 25 | -22 | -4 |
Men’s Division 2 Standings
 |
1 | Kelowna Crows | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 251 | 47 | 204 | 40 | 7 | 33 | 34 |
 |
2 | Surrey Beavers AA | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 244 | 184 | 60 | 35 | 25 | 10 | 30 |
 |
3 | Kats RFC | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 253 | 153 | 100 | 43 | 23 | 20 | 29 |
|
4 | United | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 263 | 159 | 104 | 40 | 22 | 18 | 26 |
|
5 | Kamloops | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 243 | 146 | 97 | 35 | 24 | 11 | 24 |
 |
6 | Chilliwack Crusaders | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 189 | 191 | -2 | 31 | 30 | 1 | 21 |
|
7 | Meraloma | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 170 | 184 | -14 | 28 | 30 | -2 | 18 |
 |
8 | Richmond | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 236 | 195 | 41 | 37 | 33 | 4 | 17 |
 |
9 | Ridge Meadows | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 114 | 343 | -229 | 18 | 53 | -35 | 2 |
 |
10 | Brit Lions | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 70 | 431 | -361 | 11 | 71 | -60 | 0 |