Kamloops Match Reports by William Shaw: Home Teams Claim Quarter-Final Wins and Set to Host Semi-Finals This Weekend
It was a big day this past Saturday at Exhibition Park in Kamloops, with both KRC senior squads hosting their respective quarter finals.
The men’s game was first on the line up with the Raiders hosting Richmond. The men kicked off to the visitors and through tight pressure eventually gained control of the ball and put the Richmond defense under instant pressure, with Raider second row Max Heppner finding a gap and scoring for the Raiders, try went unconverted, 5-0 KRC.
Much like the Raiders did to Richmond, Richmond quickly pressured the Raiders upon kickoff and were able to earn themselves a converted try. This pattern continued with Ben Carroll adding another two for the Raiders and Charith Dep adding one, Daniel Turvey added two converts. KRC slotted a penalty to end the half and extend there lead to 27-19.
The fitness and physicality of the a Raiders continued in the second half, Ben added another try while Nat Watts and Quinton Ormiston each added another. Richmond was able to add another try and penalty of their own, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raiders who won 44-29.
The Raiders will now host United on Saturday May 2nd at home in Mens 2nd Division Semi-final action, kick off is at 12:45pm..
Forward of the game – Nic Willey
Back of the game – Nat Watts
Raider of the day – Ben Carroll
The Senior women hosted the Nanaimo Hornets in their BC Rugby Womens Division 1 quarter final. Aliyah Rodominki kicked off to the awaiting visitors, the Raiders quickly infringed at the ensuing breakdown and Nanaimo was able to clear the ball out to the halfway line, Kamloops was subsequently penalized again and Nanaimo was suddenly attacking from outside the KRC 22m. Nanaimo couldn’t control their lineout as Riley Halvorson stole the ball and broke away, she found a supporting Jess Olderburger who boshed her way through the Nanaimo defenders. The Raiders were rolling and winger Caliegh Silversides quickly had the Raiders knocking on the Nanaimo 5m line. After multiple attacking phases the Hornets were subsequently penalized and Thea Flundra streaked over the gainline to open the scoring with Jess O adding the convert 7-0 KRC.
The Hornets put the ball deep on the ensuing kickoff and KRC was awarded the scrum after some broken play. Front row of Riley Halvorson, Lindsay Stobbe and Mya Giardullo were up to the task and established a solid platform for KRC engine room pairing of Jess O and Milena Chambers to push on. Callie Harder was able to find space in the Nanaimo backline and broke through tackles to get KRC back into the Nanaimo half. Off an ensuing breakdown, flyhalf Kelsey Harpman put a kick in behind the Nanaimo defenders, Mel Davies gave a fantastic chase and was able to collect the kick and trot across the line for a second converted try for the Raiders, 14-0 KRC.
With the Raiders forward pack working hard at rucks and scrum time, they were able to steal a Nanaimo scrum, the ball eventually ended in the hands of Caleigh Silversides who worked hard breaking tackles to score the 3rd KRC try of the day, 19-0 KRC. Shortly following this try, KRC discipline was light and Nanaimo was able to pressure into the KRC 22m. The ladies defended aggressively with substitutions, Taylor Lawson and Carla Jensen brought fresh legs and high intensity. Despite the long period of defence and the ladies efforts to relieve pressure, it wasn’t enough and Nanaimo finally got on the score board with a converted try, 19-7 KRC.
The Raiders responded quickly and Aliyah Rodominski crossed for her first try of the game with Jess adding the extra 2 points, 26-7 KRC. The back row of Keisha Henry, Thea Flundra and Charise Overhoff-Coutu put a shift in during the first half, keeping Nanaimo under heavy pressure. Thea was rewarded for the back rows effort as she crossed for her second try shortly before half time. KRC led 31-7 into the break.
After the break, with fresh forward legs coming from Carrie Lange, Jordan Klaws and Sara Fast, the Raiders drove Nanaimo hard on a 5m scrum and scrumhalf Emily Lindsay was able to score off the driving scrum and widen the gap to 36-7 KRC. With a birth in the semi-finals on the line, the Raiders continued to pressure the Hornets, with winger Rhayna Silversides scoring a try down the sideline off a penalty against the visitors, Jess added the convert and the gap widened to 43-7.
Lizzy Gotuaco, Kayla Comeau and Tamara Van Camp kept the energy level and effort high when they entered the field partway through the second half. As the KRC backline moved the ball wide Tamara Van Camp looked due to score before being high tackled by the Nanaimo defender, KRC was awarded a penalty try, the Hornet was shown a yellow card, but unfortunately for Van Camp she had to leave the field, Raiders lead 50-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, KRC didn’t field the ball cleanly, but Riley Halvorson was able to clean it up and give the hosts possession. Working the ball across the field, Keisha Henry broke through a half gap with tight support from Callie Harder. Harder made a 20 yard gain before the Hornets could scramble to take her down. However, before going down she offloaded to Mel Davies who ran the distance to score under the post, adding her own convert and pushing the score to 57-7 KRC.
As the minutes ticked down toward the end of the game, Nanaimo turned their ball over just outside the KRC 22m, after strong forward and back carries Callie Harder again spotted a gap and streaked her way into the Nanaimo end before being tackled. Shortly after Nanaimo were again penalized, the Raiders tapped the ball and kicked it out to end the game, final score was 57-7.
Forward of the game – Thea Flundra
Back of the game – Aliyah Rodominski
Hardest Worker – Callie Harder
The Raiders want to thank the Nanaimo Hornets for making the trip up to Kamloops for the quarterfinal and for a fantastic game on the pitch.
The ladies will now host the Bayside Sharks in Womens Division 1 Semi-final action this coming Saturday, May 2nd, with kickoff scheduled for 11:15am.